Skills Trainer - Project LIFE (Full-time) (Education)

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.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Project LIFE is a comprehensive, multi-year transition-to-adulthood program in which individuals (ages 16+) with disabilities can develop, practice, and strengthen skills that are high predictors for increased adult independence and successful, integrated community employment.

Project LIFE offers a targeted course of study in combination with participation in experiential life skills education and authentic work-based learning experiences in the local community. Utilizing evidence-based transitions education concepts, Project LIFE is a proven program model that supports our student interns on their journey to adulthood and greater independence.

Project LIFE began in 2007 and is now impacting lives nation-wide. Visit btprojectlife.org for additional information and where additional programs are located. [Learn More About Project LIFE]

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Life Skills Trainer provides vocational training to a cohort of student interns enrolled in Project Life programming during their work-based learning experiences; both during the school year and compressed extended school year. This position will be expected to learn multiple entry-level job skills, both within the Goodwill Donated Goods Retail network, in the community, and in collaboration with community business partners. The Project Life Skills Trainer will serve as a paraprofessional to support classroom instruction and independent living activities. 

Duties include but are not limited to:

• 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.
• 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.
• Utilize positive motivational strategies and techniques that help individual attain identified goals.

External Hiring Range: $18.25. up to $18.98/hour

Retention Bonus: $1000 after six months of employment

Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00am – 4:00pm) 

Travel Required:  Yes, some local travel to community sites in Allegheny County may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates' Degree AND  3 years of experience supporting learning for teens and/or young adults with a variety of disabilities  
• Bachelor's Degree AND 1 year of experience supporting individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment, required.

Preferred Experience:

• Paraprofessionals and experience with the supervision of young adults with disabilities in a work setting preferred.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Candidates are expected to provide current valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to first day of employment.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Human Services