Community Skills Instructor at Goodwill Industries of SE WIS in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Job Description:

The Community Skills Instructor is responsible for planning and providing curriculum-based instruction and small group training to adults with developmental disabilities to support attainment of vocational goals and greater independence in the community. This position will also provide case management support for individuals and maintain ongoing communication and coordination with support people such as families, caregivers, funding sources, and other team members.

RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:

Implements strategies to achieve the goals for the organization and provides community-based and training room instruction to adults with developmental disabilities to increase job readiness, independence and soft skills needed to prepare for community employment. Sustains policies, procedures and programs. Typically works on projects and tasks that span 3 - 12 months.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

1. Project and Change Management: Effectively plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments. Periodically serves as a team member or subject matter expert on formal or department projects. Effectively engages in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor. Follows through on learning, skill building, and practice necessary to adapt to change.
2. Problem Solving: General supervision, regular review of work by manager or senior coworker. May be paired with senior team member for development purposes. Uses skills to solve problems of routine complexity; able to identify root cause, interpret data, and resolve issues.
3. Technical Skills: Fundamental knowledge of professional principles and skills. Works in compliance with established procedures.
4. Community Engagement: Serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community. Participates in volunteer opportunities as schedules and interest permit.
5. Creates, plans and provides curriculum-based instruction in community and training room settings in the areas of job-readiness, independent living, social and community skills. Evaluates and adapts instructional approach, materials and support to meet development needs and assist individuals in meeting training objectives.
6. Assesses individual skills, needs, vocational interests, and motivation on an ongoing basis, using written evalutations and observation. Identifies related training objectives that support advancement toward community employment.
7. Promotes progress towards employment through case management and counseling, ongoing communication and coordination with support team, such as families, caregivers, funding sources, and other Goodwill team members to foster collaborative support of individuals. Coordinates and leads meetings with individuals and key stakeholders.
8. Coaches individuals in following medical plans, encourages healthy and safe choices, informs caregivers and funding sources, and advocates when appropriate. Completes timely incident reports, as needed.
9. Documents training progress through regular case notes and reports, weekly newsletters, objective reviews, and individual plans.
10. Develops ongoing improvements and innovations to the service as it continues to grow and evolve.
11. Researches and develops partnerships with community organizations and local businesses where training can occur, such as volunteer work and job exploration.
12. Transports individuals using Goodwill or personal vehicle. Ensures the vehicle is clean and equipped with emergency supplies. Completes safety and maintenance checks, and mileage records.
13. Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Two years of college education or experience equivalency, and a minimum of 1 year experience.
2. Must have valid driver's license, necessary insurance and be able to legally operate a vehicle.

CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Customer Focus: Independently anticipate and meet customer needs, while searching for ways to improve customer service. Internalize customer feedback, and follow up with customer to ensure problems are solved by providing innovative ideas to meet their future needs.
2. Values Differences: Seeks out the diverse perspectives and talents of others, striving to work effectively with others who have different perspectives, backgrounds or styles. Behave with sensitivity towards differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating. Challenge stereotyping or offensive comments.
3. Communicates Effectively: Shares information and updates with others, while ensuring a clear, concise and professional communication through reports, documentation, written and other communications. Listens with interest to what others have to say.
4. Situational Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility of responses to different situations through adapting to the changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities. Monitors how well an approach is working to see if a change is needed, recognizing cues that suggest a change in approach or behavior is needed.
5. Drives Results: Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve meaningful results, through driving tasks to successful completion and closure. Sets high standards for own performance, showing determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
6. Ensures Accountability: Takes responsibility and ownership for successes and failures in own work. Monitors progress of performance and changes approach accordingly, following through on commitments.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:

Remain stationary for extended periods of time, repetitive use of hands and vision required while using computer keyboard and work with written and electronic information, ability to facilitate coaching and training, travel required. Moves about to accomplish tasks.

(SEW)