Skills Trainer

Merakey • Toms River, NJ

18h • $22 • Onsite

About The Position

Waters & Sims, a member of the Merakey family of companies, is seeking a full-time Skills Trainer to join their Supported Employment Services team in Ocean County, NJ. This role focuses on supporting transition-age students with disabilities (ages 14–21) by delivering structured work readiness training before and after a 150-hour paid internship. The position involves coordinating with schools, families, DVR, and employers, recruiting internship sites, and ensuring meaningful alignment with students’ career interests. This is a grant-funded position aligned with NJDOL DVRS objectives.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Pre ETS components, NJ DVRS Paid Internship objectives, and student eligibility criteria.
• Strong ability to develop student-aligned internship placements, manage employment logistics, and coordinate multifaceted stakeholder interactions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to navigate employers, students, parents, schools, and systems.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management capabilities to manage training modules, internships, and documentation seamlessly.
• Familiarity with employment onboarding processes including tax paperwork, payroll setup, and benefit explanations.
• Working in email, virtual communication platforms, and team-based coordination tools.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing workplace conditions, internship logistics, and procedural updates.
• Commitment to inclusive, strengths-based coaching, and supporting transitions into competitive integrated employment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Education, Psychology, or a related field required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with case management and accurate documentation preferred.
• Strong crisis management and problem-solving skills to address student challenges are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver six weeks of structured training around the internship: 3 weeks pre-internship (workplace readiness, self-advocacy, job exploration), and a post-internship wrap-up phase to reflect on experience and plan next steps.
• Coordinate all aspects of internship placement: recruit and confirm 150-hour paid internship sites aligned with career interests, arrange essential employment logistics (working papers, payroll account setup, stipend coordination), and facilitate smooth transitions into and out of internships, including site changes as needed.
• Provide support during work-based learning experiences and manage students in integrated employer settings.
• Develop relationships with community businesses to serve as paid internship sites.
• Promote the Pre-ETS Paid Internship model among employers, DVR counselors, school staff, and families.
• Represent the program at outreach events, ensuring employer satisfaction and ongoing engagement.
• Serve as liaison among students, parents, schools, DVR counselors, employers, and internal program staff.
• Communicate internship progress, needs, and outcomes to all relevant parties.
• Address and de-escalate concerns involving student performance, workplace fit, or behavioral issues.
• Complete daily intake logs, activity notes, and internship progress in SETWorks.
• Submit Monthly Activity Reports reflecting billable hours, stipend payments, and service completion.
• Maintain attendance, payroll documentation, and compliance records as required by NJ DVRS grant standards.
• Support program sustainability goals: track outcomes and contribute to growth planning.
• Participate in team meetings and training opportunities facilitated by Boggs Center or CDS.
• Perform additional duties as needed within the scope of the grant.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth contribution options.
• DailyPay, providing access to your pay when you need it.
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Care.com access for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling and legal and financial resources through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle services.
• Free personal and professional development courses through Pryor Online Learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level