Job Description: Job Coach for Special Needs Adults (Employment Training)
Overall Job Responsibility
A Job Coach for Special Needs Adults is responsible for providing customized support and guidance to adults or students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, enabling them to successfully acquire, learn and maintain employment. The role involves collaborating with families, co-workers, supervisors and support network to foster inclusive workplaces and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.
A Job Coach may work in various settings such as community organizations or directly at employer sites. Flexible hours and travel may be required to meet students’ needs and support job placements.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work closely with persons with disabilities to provide on-site individualised coaching and hands-on training to help students learn job tasks, workplace routines, and appropriate social behaviours.
- Assess and provide recommendations on necessary workplace and process modifications to assist persons with disabilities in job assimilation and task performance.
- Design and implement job support strategies for various job roles to better support persons with disabilities.
- Collaborate with employers, supervisors or co-workers to facilitate workplace accommodations and ensure a supportive environment.
- Impart social and soft skills such as communication, time management and teamwork, to persons with disabilities as part of work preparation.
- Monitor special needs adults’ progress, adjust coaching strategies as needed, and provide ongoing encouragement and feedback.
- Maintain regular communication and provide timely and accurate updates of students’ progress, challenges and achievements to stakeholders (e.g., parents, teachers, supervisors)
- Any other duties assigned by supervisor
Qualifications and Skills
- Diploma or degree in Special Education, Social Work, Psychology or related field (preferred)
- Experience in job coaching or working with adults with special needs or disabilities
- Ability to analyse and adapt coaching strategies to meet the training needs of each special needs adult
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
- Patience, empathy, and commitment to promoting inclusion and independence
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders (students, families, supervisors, agencies)
- Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances and take on other roles when called upon
- Knowledge of local employment laws and disability support services is an advantage
