Community Job Coach – Salem, OR

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Garten has an excellent opportunity to join our compassionate and hardworking team as a Community Job Coach. When you join the team at Garten, you become a part of a not-for-profit corporation that changes lives and positively impacts the community. We have a diverse employee base and operate social enterprises to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2020, we celebrated our 50th-anniversary and have operated continuously and safely throughout the pandemic.

General Position Summary:

Provides on-the-job transition and retention supports to program participants in various community work settings. Assists in the disability awareness education of community employers. Assists community employers in the identification and development of natural supports within their businesses.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

• Positive role model for program participants.
• Provides hands-on support to the individual while they transition into a new job.
•  Provides on-going support to the individual as they work at retaining and growing in their job.
•  Educates and supports the employer as they become more knowledgeable about disabilities and necessary accommodations.
•  Assists community employers in the identification and development of natural supports to meet the needs of the individual.
•  Provides the necessary hands-on support at the community work experience or placement site to ensure a positive outcome for the employer, individual, and referral source.
•  Maintains effective communication with the individual, employer, referral source, and designated Garten staff.
•  Effectively performs all required documentation and record keeping.

Secondary Functions:

• Attends meetings with employers and referral sources as requested.
• Participates in meetings and on teams/committees as assigned.
• Provides assistance and personal care to individuals in use of restroom and in clean-up.
• Provides input on ways Garten can create integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position is supervisory to the extent that training, daily work direction, and evaluation are provided to others. Interpersonal Contacts: Has both internal and external contacts. The most common internal contacts are with all employees. The most frequent external contacts are with employers, referral sources, home providers, and relatives of individuals with disabilities. The types of interactions for both internal and external contacts involve information exchange and problem solving. Both internal and external contacts are usually made at the employee’s own initiative with 50% of the contacts being over the telephone and 50% face to face. At least 80% of all contacts are with external customers while 20% are with internal customers. Contacts frequently contain discussion of confidential/sensitive issues.

Specific Job Skills Required:

• Excellent communication, customer service, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with sign language skills desirable.
• Ability to conduct assessment instruments and identify natural supports and eliminate barriers.
• Ability to train/instruct diverse workforce.
• Ability to model good work practices.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Skills in judgment, decision-making, and balancing multiple priorities.
• Ability to actively participate in team development and team-oriented processes.
• Physical and mental ability to operate a calculator and computer hardware/software.
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and proof of current vehicle insurance.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, twist, bend, kneel, grasp, handle (including repetitive motion of shoulders/wrists/hands), reach, kneel occasionally during normal workday.
• Physical ability to occasionally push/pull/lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
• Physical ability to obtain and maintain forklift certification as required.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally.

Education and Experience Required:

• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with/providing training to individuals with disabilities with preference given to those with prior experience in community settings.
• An Associate Degree/equivalent training specializing in rehabilitation, social work, communication, or related field may be substituted for 1 year of experience.
• High School diploma or equivalent.

Job Conditions:

This position requires working in an environment where there may be building temperature fluctuations, dust, dirt, odors, fumes, heavy equipment operation, noise, biohazards, and/or outdoor weather, depending on the job location of the participant. Other working conditions may include: frequent interruptions; working alone; working flexible work hours; attending meetings outside of regular work hours; on-call status; occasional equipment/forklift operation; extensive detail work; exposure to a computer monitor; pressure of meeting deadlines; exposure to disagreeable individuals; driving in traffic.

Perks Include:

• FREE Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance
• FREE Dental Insurance
• FREE Vision Insurance
• FREE Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Garten Retirement Plan
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays and one paid floating holiday

Footer/EEO Statement:

Garten commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Recruitment team at recruitment@garten.org.