Vocational Coach
SquarePeg
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Position Overview:
The primary responsibility of the Employment Consultant is to function as a coach, mentor, and vocational support professional working one-to-one with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), supporting them to successfully obtain employment in their communities, improving their quality of life allowing them to gain greater levels of independence through work. The Employment Consultant offers support during the Job development/job seeking process, provides coaching during onboarding and any needed follow-along support with a focus on fostering an independent workspace.
Job Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Utilize a person-centered approach supporting individuals in job searching efforts in industries and opportunities that match their skills and interests, within their communities and based on transportation options available
- Once placed, the Employment Consultants provides the individual with support during orientation, onboarding and throughout the early stages of training with the goal of fostering an independent work environment
- Employment Consultant’s develop and maintain positive relationships with the individual, families, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, advocates, and employers
- Assumes full responsibility for a caseload of successfully employed job participants, including the documenting, and uploading of all services, paperwork, and communications into the SET-Works secure database
- Completes required paperwork in a timely and organized manner, including but not limited to Individualized Written Program Plan (IWPP), annual paperwork, safety exercises, and all reports required for local funding agencies
- Collaborates with supervisor to ensure that all required billing documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner and assures payments have been received
- Support local Best Buddies International fundraising events through community outreach, generating revenue, etc
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or minimum of two years of professional experience. Best Buddies program experience is a plus
- Must be comfortable engaging with people with IDD and addressing sensitive issues.
- Engaging and patient communicator able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships while supporting individuals to achieve results.
- Basic presentation and facilitation skills
- Basic understanding of social media and familiarity with Office 365.
- Strong written communication and project/time management skills, including attention to detail
- Strong initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Must be comfortable with frequent local travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities, and to support local BBI fundraising events.
- Access to an automobile with applicable insurance
