Project Search Skills Trainer

THE ARC OF HOWARD COUNTY INC•Ellicott City, MD

8d•$22 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Project SEARCH Skills Trainer will support interns in the current Project SEARCH class during the school year (August-June). This role involves assisting with daily data collection on skills required for internships and matching interns with departments. The trainer will systematically teach essential tasks, duties, and core skills to interns, ensuring accuracy and providing necessary accommodations. They will create visual or written task lists, complete task analyses, and build natural support at internship sites to foster independence. Regular communication with department mentors regarding intern progress is crucial. The trainer will also collect data on student performance, assist with interview preparation, update job development planning documentation, and coordinate travel training. Skills assessment and job development activities, including outreach to local employers and resume updates, are key responsibilities. For interns hired during the school year, the trainer will assist with onboarding and new employee training. During non-school session hours, the trainer will collaborate with other staff, families, and persons supported, utilize VR funding for job development, develop positions for graduating interns, and provide follow-along support. They will attend PCP meetings, complete required documentation, and transition individuals to other Employment Specialists if competitive employment is not secured before DDA funding begins.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent required.
Two or more years of related experience and/or training.
Excellent communication skills (oral and writing) and the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
Comfortable in identifying and incorporating new technology solutions.
Calm under pressure, positive, team-oriented attitude.
Committed to The Arc of Howard County’s mission.
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook.

Responsibilities

Support interns in the current Project SEARCH class during the school year (August-June).
Assist daily data collection on skills required for internships and “matching” between interns and departments.
Systematically teach essential tasks/duties/core skills to the intern at the start of each internship, checking for accuracy and providing necessary accommodations.
Create visual or written task lists for each intern outlining all job tasks required.
Complete a task analysis for each internship, breaking down tasks into individual steps.
Build natural support at the internship site to reduce the amount of time spent with each intern as core skills are developed.
Check-in and communicate regularly with department mentor/co-mentor regarding intern progress, and work together to teach new skills as the intern masters essential job functions.
Collect quarterly data on student performance related to transition goals, vocational IEP goals, and DORS progress reports.
Assist with interview preparation, including mock interviews and job trials for internship matching.
Assist Project SEARCH Manager to update and record notes on job development planning documentation for each intern during all employment planning meetings.
Coordinate travel training with interns and apply for community-based transportation options to utilize after Project SEARCH.
Work with Project SEARCH staff to assess student skills and complete the Vocational Fit Assessment to create an accurate skills profile of the intern/job seeker.
Conduct job development and job search activities with interns, including business tours coordinated with the Project SEARCH Manager.
Update resume with the intern at the conclusion of each internship during workshop week.
Outreach to local employers to learn about business needs, describe support offered by the program, and highlight intern strengths relevant to the business.
If an intern is hired during the school year, assist with onboarding and new employee training/orientation.
Work collaboratively with Planning Specialists, Employment Manager, families, and persons supported during non-school session hours.
Utilize VR funding from DORS for job development (short-term job coaching, interviewing assistance, etc.).
Develop positions for interns who are unemployed at the end of the program.
Provide follow-along support to interns who were hired during the school year.
Attend all PCP meetings and complete all required documentation related to implementation of the plan (i.e., monthly attendance, ICM documentation, etc.).
Transition the person supported to another Employment Specialist if competitive employment has not been secured before the start of DDA funding.