Skills Trainer

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes' list of America's "Most Inspiring Companies".

We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

DIVISION OVERVIEW:

Goodwill SWPA's Human Services division is responsible for making Goodwill's overarching vision a reality: enhancing people's dignity and quality of life by strengthening communities and helping those with barriers to employment reach their full potential through workforce education and support. The Human Services division fulfills this mission providing high quality, outcome-oriented services for program participants by utilizing a comprehensive service delivery model covering a broad array of social programs.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Within the Human Services Division is the Disability Services department. Disability Services is integral to achieving Goodwill's mission of helping individuals with disabilities realize their full potential and lead fulfilling, independent lives. Support programs provided by the Disability Services department are designed to guide participants to higher rates of self-sufficiency. The Adult focused programming in Disability Services centers on creating opportunities for people with disabilities to gain skills, volunteer, train for work, and obtain employment in their community. In addition to workforce development and community integration, Disability Services also provides retirement options for eligible participants. Participants enrolled in work and community focused programs receive both job readiness and skills training to prepare them for employment across a variety of industries, such as retail, food service, housekeeping, production, and more. Disability Services also includes specialized programs for placement services for individuals with mental health issues and or intellectual disabilities.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program for students ages 18 -22 that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through work-site rotations, culminating in individualized job development. Students participate in three targeted rotations at the host business, UPMC. The programs Employment Specialist provides job readiness services, job development, job coaching and work performance monitoring/support for young adults with disabilities, throughout UPMC and Allegheny County businesses.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project SEARCH Skills Trainer provides vocational training to student interns enrolled in Project Life programming during their work-based learning experiences. This position will also provide support during classroom instruction and independent living activities. The Project SEARCH Skills Trainer will be expected to learn multiple entry-level jobs skills, within the Goodwill Donated Goods Retail network, in the community, and in collaboration with community business partners.

Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-exempt.

Location: UPMC Mercy Hospital - 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

External Hiring Range: $18.25 - $18.96.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.

Travel: Travel within Goodwill SWPA territories may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Included but not limited to:

Employment Training Support:

• Provide training on proper work techniques and socialization skills through the completion of worksite tasks and task analysis.
• Implement necessary educational, behavioral, and/or developmental supports, including any identified assistive technology.
• Build natural supports within the work environment; identify and implement job modifications including but not limited to graphical or adaptive work illustrations, learning systems for individuals based on universal design.
• Instruct and assess student learning of job skills in the work environment at a ratio of no more than 1:5.

Cross Collaboration:

• Articulate and make recommendations to other team members and stake holders on needs and preferences of individual.
• Communicate individual progress and provide feedback in both written and oral form to the team.
• Provide coverage for other Transition Services Team members as assigned.

Policies and Standards:

• Be aware of and follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as Department of Public Welfare, Department of Labor, and PA Department of Education.
• Communicate production/job specific expectations to the individual; meet regularly with site management to ensure communication of business needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Years of Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Teaching or other related field AND 1 year of relevant experience.

Required:

• Experience supporting learning for teens and young adults with a variety of disabilities.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Qualified candidates must have a valid drivers license, active insurance policy, and reliable transportation for local travel.
• Candidates are expected to complete background checks assigned by Goodwill SWPA, including a National Criminal Background check, prior to their first day of employment.
• Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.