Workplace and Life Skills Teacher

The Opportunity\: Job Overview

A dedicated professional responsible for supporting individuals in achieving their educational, career, and personal development goals. This role combines elements of instruction, individualized coaching, and case management to provide comprehensive support services to students or clients with diverse needs.

This position could work with our LEAP program and/or our MSDB School Transition Program.

Core Impact Areas

ESSENTIAL TASKS

The following duties are typical for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude other duties if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job description. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Student Management (40%)

• Assist participants with identifying opportunities for employment, developing resumes, writing cover letters, completing employment applications, preparing for the interview and navigating the hiring process.

• Assist with scheduling on the job and pre-employment trainings with organizations, business partners, and employers to enhance job readiness and employability skills.

• Help coordinate work-based learning experiences aligned with students' goals

• Provide job coaching, on-the-job support, and job shadow experiences as students work towards job placement

• Assist with LEAP and Campus Transition Programs, providing hands-on vocational training/life skills training for students

• Assist with maintaining employer and employment data in program software and gathering feedback to aid in maintaining successful training and employment for participants.

• Collaborate with Stakeholders, including staff, employers, and partners, to ensure access to student employment opportunities.

• Assist in meeting individually with participants (students) to determine vocational, social/emotional, and communication skill levels. Assist in reporting participants’ high school and past experiences, and summarize training needs for the LEAP.

• Maintain confidentiality.

Instructional Support (30 %)

• Assist in preparing instructional materials and work-related guides.

• Assist in maintaining a neat and orderly learning and working environment.

• Assist with inventory, care, and maintenance of instructional materials and equipment.

• Assist in creating and maintaining documentation, administrative records and reports.

• Monitor Student Progress by tracking and providing feedback on student progress in work-based settings

• Meet regularly with the Transition Coordinator to assist in matching participants with appropriate vocational opportunities.

Communication (20%)

• Assist the Transition Coordinator and teachers in maintaining positive relationships with agencies, vocational rehabilitation counselors, business partners and service providers.

• Articulate the district’s mission and goals to the community and solicit community support.

Professional Growth and Development (10%)

• Maintain familiarity with district initiatives to better serve the needs of participants.

• Participate in professional learning, staff meetings, and special events as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities\:

• Should have strong knowledge of vocational and life skills learning programs, vocational rehabilitation, and postsecondary options for students with disabilities. 

• Should be familiar with instructional methods and demonstrate excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. 

• The ability to develop and supervise work-based learning opportunities aligned with students' goals.

• Strong leadership is needed to manage work-based experiences and collaborate with stakeholders, including students, families, employers, and educational professionals. 

• Should be familiar with options for post-secondary training and opportunities and support access to educational materials.

• Should have a working knowledge of IDEA, ADA, and Section 504 and how they are applied in everyday settings.

Education & Experience\:

• Required\:Bachelor's Degree and Special Education Endorsement, TVI, or TOD is required

• Preferred\:Experience working with students with disabilities, particularly in vocational education, work-based learning, or transition services.

• Preferred\:Proven ability to build connections with businesses and market programs is preferred.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster relationships with students, employers, and

stakeholders.

Knowledge & Skills\:

• Communication\:Should have strong knowledge of vocational and life skills learning programs, vocational

rehabilitation, and postsecondary options for students with disabilities. Should be familiar with instructional methods and demonstrate excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Leadership\:The ability to develop and supervise work-based learning opportunities aligned with students' goals. Strong leadership is needed to manage work-based experiences and collaborate with stakeholders,

including students, families, employers, and educational professionals

• Technical\:Should be familiar with options for post-secondary training and opportunities and support access to educational materials. A solid understanding of laws like IDEA, ADA, and Section 504 is also essential.

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.