WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
                                                                 909 South 76th Street
                                                                    Omaha, NE 68114

Position Available for the 2024-2025 School Year

Project SEARCH Education Assistant

Qualifications: High school diploma, experience with youth and adults with disabilities preferred.

Reports to: Coordinator of Secondary Special Services; Project SEARCH Program Instructor

Purpose: To provide training and support for students, business co-workers, families, and district personnel to ensure success during the worksite rotations and community interactions.   

Performance Responsibilities:

Key Result Area:

• To facilitate the training and integration of a student with disabilities in a worksite rotation and/or competitive work environment.
• Provides individualized support for student at the host business worksite rotation which includes: job coaching, building natural supports, identifying job accommodations, assistive technology, etc.
• Communicates effectively with Project SEARCH Instructor, other EAs, employers, co-workers, and school and agency personnel as it relates to the student being trained.
• Perform specific job analysis, task analysis, and job matching activities.
• Carries out steps of job coaching plan with students and other parties as appropriate.
• Work with consumers, employers, families, job placement specialist, agency personnel, affiliate school personnel and other appropriate parties to problem solve issues related to training and employment.
• Practice positive reinforcement techniques with students, co-workers, and other staff.
• Trains students in the areas of grooming, hygiene, communication, interviewing, and behavior as they relate to successful employment.
• Provides travel training to job site if necessary.
• Communicates with Project SEARCH instructor to make final decisions regarding any issues that may affect student success at a worksite rotation or competitive job site. These decisions may be related to continued job coaching, fading, behavior, job tasks, etc.
• Attends training provided by school district personnel to become knowledgeable of strategies and current “best practices” in the field of supported employment.
  Participates in decision making process to identify and implement training strategies and/or services with other Project SEARCH staff and host business staff.

Professional Responsibilities:

Key Result Area:

• Responsible for performing those duties and activities that are conducive for an effective and efficient daily operation.
• Adheres to and promotes standards of the host business and/or competitive work site in order to promote job productivity and efficiency.
• Submits and completes appropriate job coaching paperwork.
• Recognizes and acts on the legal responsibilities concerning the safety and welfare of the consumers.
• Demonstrates daily work assignment responsibilities: is accountable for all hours assigned, is punctual and regular in attendance, and attends appropriate training activities.

Personal Characteristics:

Key Result Area:

• Responsible for personal characteristics necessary to develop attributes consistent with the educational community.
• Participates in professional growth activities such as conferences, in-services, etc.
• Is an effective role model.
• Shows enthusiasm and a sense of humor.
• Exhibits an overall positive attitude.
• Utilizes sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Uses Standard English in oral and written communication.
• Works as a productive team member with families, affiliate school and agency personnel.
• Is adaptable in dealing with individual and cultural differences.
• Protects the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of information unless disclosure serves a professional purpose or is required by law.
• Avoids action that could result in conflicts of interest.
• Passes any background, fitness, drug/alcohol screen required by the school district and the host business.

NOTE:  The EA will be expected to perform other duties as deemed necessary  and appropriate by the host-business or school designee.

Application Procedure:
Apply online

Westside Community Schools is an EEO employer