Ready for Life

 Ready For Life Academy Work Experience Opportunity (WEO) Coordinator / Instructor at Ferris State University

Ready For Life, a nonprofit organization, is looking for dynamic, motivated individual to fill the role of the Work Experience Opportunity (WEO) Coordinator / Instructor at the Ferris State University Ready For Life Academy (RFLA) Program. Ready For Life (RFL) offers immersive and inclusive learning opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

As the Work Experience Opportunity Coordinator & Instructor, your responsibilities will be:

·       Assist Ready For Life Academy students in taking strides toward reaching their goals of independent living and paid employment. 

·       Collaborate with the Ferris State University Ready For Life Academy Network Director, Instructor, Inclusive Communities (IC) Program Manager, and IC Coordinator to ensure consistent and cohesive delivery of total programming expectations.  

·       Oversee Academic Support Hour in collaboration with the Instructional Assistant(s).

·       Collaborate with team members in maintaining student progress reports.

·       Collaborate with students and team members to develop Academic Course Plans (ACP).

·       Collaborate with team members to ensure documentation for partnering agency(cies) is being completed as expected.

·       Collaborate with team members with tasks specific to TPSID grant reporting.

·       Recruit, train, and oversee peer partners in and out of the classroom, if utilized. 

·       Help coordinate the following school events: freshman orientation, two visit days/school year, class outings, peer partner celebrations (if applicable), and graduation.

·       Facilitate on-campus and community connections to increase belonging for students at Ferris State University and within the Big Rapids Community.

·       Communicate student progress with parents or guardians at least twice a year (once a semester). 

·       Collaborate with team members to send out program-related communication to parents, students, and stakeholders.

·       Participate in RFL policy and strategic planning committees as needed.

·       Complete Community Mental Health training and professional development as requested. 

·       Attend public speaking engagements as requested to promote RFLA programming and build community partnerships.

Job Responsibilities Specific to your role include:

·       Design and deliver engaging, skill-based instruction in the area of employment readiness and career development.

·       Coordinate and oversee student Work Experience Opportunities (WEOs), ensuring meaningful placements aligned with student goals.

          > Provide supervision and leadership to the WEO Field Supervisor.

          > Provide supervision and support to Job Coaches.

·       Collaborate with students and interdisciplinary team members to develop, implement, and monitor individualized PATH plans, ensuring alignment with career and life goals.

·       Facilitate community-building initiatives and small-group seminars, with an emphasis on social-emotional well-being, professional conduct, and workplace readiness.

·       Support students in coordinating services and communication with external providers and community partners.

·       Maintain availability for program planning and wrap-up responsibilities two weeks prior to and following the Fall and Spring semesters.

·       Work a consistent schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., during the Fall and Spring academic terms.

·       Participate in the after-hours on-call rotation (up to 10 days per month) to support student needs as they arise.

Qualified applicants possess:

·       A passion for our mission of working with people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

·       Bachelor's degree or higher in special education, social work, or similar.

·       Experience working with people with special needs.

·       Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Compensation:

·       $60,000.00 annual salary, 9+ month position with occasional off season work session to facilitate program planning

·       Eligible for benefits

To Apply

• Submit a résumé and cover letter to toni.falk@rflnetwork.org with the subject line: RFLA@FSU WEO Instructor application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Note:
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Ready For Life Academy WEO Coordinator & Instructor position and is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The RFLA@FSU Instructor reports to the Network Director and may be required to perform other duties as assigned.