School Program Liaison - Santa Barbara, United States - Santa Barbara Unified School District

Description

Santa Barbara Unified School District is currently recruiting for an Outreach Employment Specialist / Job Developer / School Program Liaison. This position is 35 hours a week, 7 hours a day, Monday through Friday, 12 months of the year.

Classified Job Description

Title: School Program Liaison

Salary Schedule Range: 36
Hourly rate: $23.22 to $27.63 an hour to start, DOE

Reporting: Reports to an assigned supervisor.

Employment Status: 7 hours a day or possible flexibility with schedule to be 35 hours a week.

Location: Secondary school site; San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara High School, or Dos Pueblos High School.

Purpose of Position: To serve as a liaison for students enrolled in the Department of Rehabilitation to assist students with disabilities with the transition from high school to a work environment.
Extra information important to this particular position includes the following:

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES:
- Coordinate outreach to the following underserved populations: students with disabilities without an IEP or 504 students, students with 504 plans, students whose case managers are not school site-based (school nurses, deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, site-based mental health service providers, etc.)

Attend Academic/School Counselor Meetings at each site to explain the Bridges Program and DOR Student Services

Establish protocol for generating and processing PE referrals through Academic/School Counselors, school nurses, case managers for the blind/visually impaired, and hard of hearing students, site-based mental health service providers etc.

- Provide Program outreach presentations to students, parents/guardians, community organizations, partners, and businesses.
- Outreach to potential program participants and provide engagement supports.
- Coordinate and maintain Program participant files as required for this position.
- Communicate with parents/guardians, relevant school site staff, Job Developer, Transition Services Coordinator, and Program Coordinator regarding program-related issues.

DIRECT SERVICE DUTIES:
- Ensure authorizing case note is received from DOR Counselor. Job Exploration Counseling to include:

Provide an individualized process by which a Program participant gains knowledge of career paths and job opportunities and learns how to identify strengths, barriers to employment, viable vocational options, and objectives necessary to achieve one or more employment goals.

Assist with identification of career pathways of interest to the Program participant, and the skills and qualifications necessary to be successful in these occupations.

- Reporting on Job Exploration Counseling activities will be provided to the referring DOR Counselor as appropriate for this position.

WORKPLACE READINESS TRAINING:
-May include, but not limited to, training in the following subject matter:

Soft skills needed for successful employment including communication with coworkers, attitudes about work, decision-making while on the job, conflict-resolution skills, problem-solving techniques, and appropriate workplace written communication skills.

Interviewing techniques

Resume development

Application preparation

Appropriate work behaviors including grooming and hygiene while on the job, use of a cell phone, social media professionalism, maintaining a healthy lifestyle while at work, time management, developing friendships with coworkers, and community and workplace safety

Employer expectations such as punctuality and performance

Relevant work practices

Travel training

Financial literacy including money management and assistance in becoming knowledgeable regarding the impact of employment on a participant's disability and benefits

- Reporting on workplace readiness training activities will be provided to the referring DOR Counselor.

WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES:

Provide participants with the knowledge and skills that will help them connect school experiences to real-life work activities and future career opportunities

Monitor the participant's performance in the work environment

Fade support as the participant's skill and independence level increases

Liaise between participant and business to bridge needs of the employer while providing real world work experience

Collaborate with community businesses and partners and participate in community employer and job developer networks

Identify appropriate work clothing/uniform needs for Work Experiences and manage the ordering, distribution, and/or return of ordered item(s)

- The Outreach Employment Specialist. / Job Developer / School Program Liaison will submit written progress reports on Work Experience/Internships to the DOR Counselor on a monthly basis.

INSTRUCTION IN SELF-ADVOCACY:
- Teach particpants to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate, or assert his/her/their own interests and/or desires as they relate to successful employment.
- Self-Advocacy instruction may train participants in the following skills as they related to successful employment:

Self-awareness

Disability understanding and disclosure

Self-determination

Setting goals

Reasonable accomodation factors

Utilizing available resources and support systems

Taking a leadership role in the IEP, 504, or other person-centered planning process

Positive self-talk

Understanding workplace rights and workplace responsibilities

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

- Reporting on workplace readiness training activities will be provided to the referring DOR Counselor

COUNSELING ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION:
- Provide services including instruction with curricular supports which can be provided in a classroom, group, or individual setting.
- Participants interested in careers requiring post-secondary education/training may receive guidance on how skill development and knowledge related to future opportunities in post-secondary education settings and employment. Counseling on post-secondary education/training may include instruction in the following subject matters:

Explore career & post-secondary education and training options

Learn about career pathways

Discover post-secondary education/training resources and disability support services

Identify and connect participant with resources/supports and aid with the application/enrollment process

Identify and connect participant with financial aid options and resources/supports for assistance with application process

Identify technology needs

Attend college fairs and tours

-Reporting on Counseling on Post-Secondary Education activities will be provided to the referring DOR Counselor.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES MAY INCLUDE:

Meet with Academic/School Counselors to discuss process for making appropriate referrals

Communicate as needed with parents/guardians of Participants regarding Bridges/DOR SS

Work directly with the assigned DOR Counselor to coordinate and provide services as appropriate

Attend appropriate program meetings (Quarterly, Employment Specialists and Bridges Team meetings)

Maintain participant case documentation as required by this position

Other duties as assigned

This position was created exclusively to provide a unique service under the cooperative contract with DOR; therefore, there are no traditional education agency duties. The remainder of time worked by the Outreach Employment Specialist/Job Developer is identified on the VR Employment Services Budget.

Essential Functions listed for correlating School Program Liaison position:

Assist students with a variety of college preparatory study programs, testing, application requirements, and/or assist students with vocational or career opportunities, job leads, applications and placement.

Coordinate and schedule meetings with counselors, administrators, college or university representatives or local business owners.

Develop and conduct career seminars or information meetings; assist students with research activities related to college or university educational programs, and/or assist students with career exploration or job searches.

Set up, facilitate and accompany students on campus tours; assist students with the completion of admission documents, financial aid and related materials.

Monitor and periodically evaluate student class placement and progress; assist in coordinating and overseeing tutorial programs, including recruiting, training and providing work direction to tutors.

Participate in case review activities with Department of Rehabilitation counselors as required.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Maintain punctual and consistent attendance.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Primarily indoor work environment with some exposure to weather conditions during campus trips or travel in the local community.

Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone; seeing to monitor students and read a variety of documents; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard or other office equipment; ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time; bending, stooping, or reaching above the shoulders to store or retrieve materials.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the goals and objectives of the Department of Rehabilitation; knowledge of community resources and job placement and development practices.

Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with students, District staff, Department of Rehabilitation staff, and work collaboratively with a number of stakeholders.

Oral and written communications skills.

Ability to understand and follow verbal and written directions.

Ability to meet schedules and timelines.

Education, Training and Experience:

Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by college-level coursework in counseling, psychology or related field, and two (2) years of experience in an educational setting, or demonstrated ability to fulfill the essential functions of the position.

Additional Requirements:

*This position is eligible for Interpreting/Translating premium pay