Job Coach - Employment Services

Job DetailsJob Location: Springfield, MO 65803Salary Range: $21.50
Job Coach – Employment Services

Location: Springfield, MO

Pay: Starting at $21.50/hour. Experience-based wages may be available when a candidate's background exceeds the position requirements.
Schedule: Flexible/varied hours based on client and employer needs. Required initial training typically requires weekday, daytime availability for the first 1–2 weeks.
Travel: Community-based work throughout the service area. A dependable vehicle and current auto liability insurance are required. Mileage reimbursement is provided for client-related travel.

Why This Role Matters

The Arc of the Ozarks is hiring a Job Coach to work primarily in our Pressing Matters shop, where you’ll help individuals with disabilities learn job skills while creating and producing custom products such as T-shirts, tumblers, mugs, and other personalized items.

This is hands-on, creative, people-centered work. You’ll work alongside individuals to teach them how to use equipment, follow designs and instructions, complete products, maintain quality standards, and build confidence in a real work environment. You’ll also help individuals develop the workplace skills they need to become more independent and successful on the job.

While the primary focus of this position is working in Pressing Matters, the Job Coach will also provide employment support in community worksites based on individual and employer needs.

What You’ll Do

Work primarily in the Pressing Matters shop, helping individuals with disabilities learn and complete production tasks.
Teach individuals how to create and produce products such as T-shirts, tumblers, mugs, and other custom-designed items.
Provide hands-on instruction and support with equipment, materials, designs, production processes, and quality expectations.
Help individuals learn workplace routines, timelines, organization, safety practices, and other skills needed to be successful in a production environment.
Use individualized teaching strategies such as modeling, verbal prompts, visual supports, and checklists based on each person's needs.
Encourage independence by gradually reducing one-on-one support as individuals become more confident and capable.
Help individuals develop transferable workplace skills such as communication, problem-solving, following directions, attention to detail, and working as part of a team.
When needed, provide one-on-one or small-group job coaching at community worksites.
Build positive working relationships with employers and help identify natural workplace supports.
Support job-readiness activities, community-based assessments, transportation planning, and connections to community resources.
Communicate with individuals, employers, support teams, funding sources, and supervisors regarding progress and support needs.
Complete required documentation and reports accurately and on time.
Help develop and implement a gradual fading plan as individuals become more confident and independent at work.

What You Need

High school diploma or GED.
Valid Missouri Class E/Chauffeur license with a good driving record, or ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire.
Dependable personal vehicle and current liability auto insurance.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel to different community worksites based on client needs.
Ability to independently lift up to 50 pounds intermittently and to stand for extended periods, bend, stoop, and reach overhead.
Comfort working in a variety of workplace environments, which may include dust, temperature changes, strong odors, or industrial settings.

Preferred Experience

Two years of experience in human services, employment services, disability services, training, coaching, or a related field is preferred, but not required.
Experience helping others learn new skills, solve problems, or build independence.

What Helps Someone Succeed Here

Patient, respectful communication and a person-centered mindset.
Good judgment and the ability to problem-solve independently.
Comfort meeting new employers, building community relationships, and working in different environments.
Strong organization, follow-through, and documentation habits.
Willingness to receive feedback, learn new approaches, and adjust support as each individual grows.

Training and Benefits

Paid initial and ongoing training, including required certifications and professional development.
Weekday daytime availability is required for approximately the first 1–2 weeks to complete initial training.
Mileage reimbursement for client-related travel.
Opportunities for growth and promotion within The Arc of the Ozarks.
Potential annual wage increases.
403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 4% after one year of service.

About The Arc of the Ozarks

The Arc of the Ozarks supports individuals with disabilities in building greater independence, inclusion, and quality of life. In Employment Services, our team helps people explore work, prepare for employment, find opportunities that fit their goals, and build long-term success in the community.

Ready to help someone succeed at work? Apply today to join The Arc of the Ozarks Employment Services team in Springfield.

QualificationsJOB COACH – EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS

Definition

The Job Coach for Employment Solutions, a division of The Arc of the Ozarks, is the key player in providing services for our primary customer (an individual who has a disability) and our secondary customers (funding sources, families, employers, other service providers.) The Job Coach’s primary job is to assist individuals with disabilities with maintaining employment. This role includes supporting the individual through work samples (called community based assessments) in area businesses, assisting to connect the individual with community resources, assisting with transportation planning/ bus training, assisting with building and maintaining prevocational (soft) skills, , and ongoing coaching and retention support once they have accepted a job offer of their choosing.

The Job Coach will also be responsible for facilitating supports the individual needs at the worksite. This support can be provided one-on-one or in a group setting with up to 6 individuals. This does not replace the training offered by the business, but some individuals need additional support with developing work relationships, setting a routine, meeting timelines, and ensuring quality. Support may be provided on or off site and will involve a mixture of job sharing, hand over hand training, verbal cues and checklist training, depending on the needs of the individual receiving services.

As the individual becomes confident in their position, the Job Coach is responsible for planning a gradual fading process for one-on-one support, as well as developing a plan for long-term follow along support. This plan includes input from the individual, their employer, and all people on their support team.

Communication through the entire process is extremely important. The Job Coach is responsible for communication with their supervisors, the individual receiving services, funding sources, employers, and other members of the individuals support team. The Job Coach is also responsible for ensuring quality and satisfaction of all customers. The Job Coach will ask for feedback and suggestions from all parties involved through formal and informal methods

Essential Job Functions

Mission and Core Values

Serves as an ambassador of the mission and purpose of The Arc of the Ozarks

Use Person-Centered and Employment First principles as the guiding influence in daily interactions.

Supports clients using respectful language in all phases or support while facilitating meaningful and informed choices.

Care and Support of Individuals

Utilize personal networks to facilitate successful employment and measure consumer satisfaction, uses results to continuously improve employment services for individuals.

Utilize a variety of techniques to assist people to be socially included at work while identifying and facilitating the use of supports that are typical in the workplace.

Pro-actively problem-solve and communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.

Use teaching strategies to train and facilitate training with clients and will provide follow-along services when needed.

Provide input to team members concerning the support needs and progress of the individual.

Assist Employment Solutions and The Arc of the Ozarks in Public Relations Activities to promote disability awareness, community inclusion, and programming support.

Can work in a variety of locations in all the counties we serve to best support client employment.

Documentation and Quality Supports

Prepare assessment reports, job development reports, intake paperwork, D&E reports, monthly reports, and job coaching summaries and submit these reports to Employment Specialist according to established timelines.

Conduct and attend planning meetings and assist the individual in advocating their needs and desires for employment; working a flexible schedule in a variety of different environments to meet the support needs with client.

Record and maintain all daily and monthly paperwork requirements.

Meet time lines, organizes workload, and manages time effectively.

Work independently with minimal supervision, exercising good judgment and managing stress.

Assist in department goal setting and planning.

Community and Job Involvement

Build relationships with the business community and offers recruitment assistance to meet their hiring needs, assisting in securing appropriate job matches.

Assist the person in accessing additional resources, filling out applications, resumes, interviews, and mock interviews. Maintain knowledge of occupations and expectations of the occupations in the area.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Good decision-making, communication abilities, and problem-solving skills.
Good public relations skills
Knowledge of the community and strong personal network.
Ability, willingness, and commitment to furthering knowledge and education.
Ability to independently lift items weighing up to 50 lbs on at least an intermittent basis
Ability to stand for long periods, bend, stoop and reach overhead.
Ability to work in a variety of environments which could include dust, extreme hot and cold temperatures, strong odors and industrial chemicals.
Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignment, methods, schedule, and policies, etc.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals served, employers, other community members, funding sources, families, and other providers.

Minimum Experience and Training Qualifications

High School diploma or GED.
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Human Services or Employment field preferred but not required.
Valid chauffeur’s license with a good driving record
Dependable automobile and current Liability auto insurance.

Traits and Characteristics Desired

The Job Coach will be a person who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and increasing their independence as a valued member of the community. A sincere dedication to the mission and the people served by The Arc of the Ozarks is crucial.

The Job Coach must demonstrate the ability to establish rapport, effectively communicate, and cultivates a positive work culture with not only those individuals working with employment solutions, but also staff from community partners and other employment solutions personnel.

The Job Coach should be open to feedback, possess a growth mindset, and a willingness for networking and community partnerships in order to better the services offered to clients.