Youth Programs Support Specialist

Responsibilities and Duties: Working under the direction of the Employment Specialist Supervisor (Youth), the Youth Programs Support Specialist provides supplemental support to the Project SEARCH Skills Trainer role while collaborating with the Project SEARCH Lead Instructor, partnering school system(s), host business sites, and the MillarRich Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) team to support the development and delivery of youth employment services. This role assists in facilitating the Project SEARCH internship program at identified sites, including recruiting and selecting interns, developing and implementing employment-focused curriculum, providing skills training and performance feedback using data-driven strategies, participating in employment planning meetings, and identifying community partners to support competitive, integrated employment outcomes. In addition, the Youth Programs Support Specialist supports the delivery of Pre-ETS in school and community-based settings, including co-developing and presenting pre-employment curriculum, coordinating classroom sessions, participating in weekly planning meetings, completing required documentation, engaging in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and transition events, and assisting in the development of community-based work experiences aligned with student goals.

MillarRich is a trauma-informed organization that values empathy, open communication, and respectful collaboration. The Youth Programs Support Specialist demonstrates a strong awareness of how trauma can impact individuals and communities and approaches their work with compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Specific duties may include:

1. Provides individualized support to interns and students to develop soft skills, work readiness, and competitive, marketable skills. This includes systematic instruction, task analysis, building natural supports, developing accommodations, identifying appropriate assistive technology, and facilitating skill development in both internship and classroom-based pre-employment services;
2. Communicates effectively with the Project SEARCH Lead Instructor, Project SEARCH Skills Trainer, host business site personnel, family members, and school and agency personnel as it relates to:
3. Educating and preparing students for their transition out of high school;
4. Training and preparing interns for employment as part of the internship program;
5. Problem solving issues related to training and employment;
6. Informing final decisions that may affect intern success at an internship or competitive job site (e.g., continued skills training, fading strategies, behavioral supports, natural supports, modified job tasks, etc.);
7. Identifying and introducing accommodations and/or technology solutions into classrooms and internship rotations;
8. Identifying and negotiating new internship rotations within the host business site;
9. Coordinating Pre-ETS sessions with partnering schools and community-based transition programs;
10. Educating parents/guardians/caregivers on benefits, supplemental programs, and long-term support options.
11. Performs specific task analysis, especially when student or intern is challenged to learn and perform tasks to a productive and quality level, and provides direct feedback to ensure growth is occurring;
12. Assists with vocational and situational assessments to determine participant strengths, preferences, and support needs, informing appropriate internship placements and Pre-ETS service planning;
13. Carries out job coaching and instructional strategies aligned with Project SEARCH and Pre-ETS models, incorporating person-centered teaching, employment-focused curriculum, self-advocacy training, and work-readiness instruction. This includes co-developing and delivering lessons, activities, and resources across both settings;
14. Practices and models positive reinforcement techniques with interns, students, staff, and workplace personnel to promote engagement, skill development, and professional behavior;
15. Provides training in areas such as grooming, hygiene, communication, interviewing, transportation, and workplace behavior as they relate to successful employment outcomes in both internship and classroom environments;
16. Supports travel training and access to transportation for internship sites, Pre-ETS activities, and community-based learning experiences as needed;
17. Participates in ongoing training and professional development to remain current on best practices in Supported Employment, Project SEARCH, and Pre-ETS service delivery;
18. Participates in decision-making process to identify and implement training strategies and/or services across internship and Pre-ETS programming;
19. Develops and maintains partnerships with local employers to develop potential worksites and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, negotiating worksite training agreements or special accommodation, monitoring and tracking success following placement, serving as primary contact person, and maintaining database of current and potential business partners; 
20. Assists in the recruitment and outreach efforts for Project SEARCH and Pre-ETS programming, including collaboration with school systems, community partners, and transition programs to identify eligible participants;
21. Completes all required documentation for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Pre-ETS services, and other funding sources, including monthly summaries, service tracking, and person-centered planning documentation, ensuring compliance with billing and audit requirements;
22. Coordinates with VR Counselors, Employment and Community First (ECF) Support Coordinators, Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs) Innovation Coordinators, and/or school personnel to ensure that individual placement efforts are effective. This is to include: providing relevant documentation during the initial VR and ECF/MAPs assessment, assisting individuals to develop and advocate for their own employment goals, and communicating proactively with all VR staff, ECF/MAPs staff, and school staff to address issues related to an individual’s employment goals;
23. Provides follow-along support and consultation upon placement to ensure job retention, workplace integration, and development of natural supports; 
24. Participates in department meetings, weekly planning meetings, and organizational events to better streamline program and organizational goals to maintain excellence;
25. Participates in intern/student Employment Planning meetings, Steering Committee meetings, IEP meetings, and/or any other needed support/planning meetings to problem solve challenges, identify goals, and develop or modify effective service implementation plans. 
26. Promotes high satisfaction among MillarRich, LLC’s customers (e.g., persons served, guardians, families, Independent Support Coordinators (ISCs), care coordinators, community members, teachers, etc.) by participating in the development and implementation of proactive action plans and communication follow-up in order to address any concerns or suggestions to promote high satisfaction;
27. Maintains a professional appearance and presentation at all times as to effectively represent the agency within the business community. When working on the employment site, dresses appropriately for the environment and tasks assigned;
28. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as circumstances warrant.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a human services field preferred. High School diploma or equivalent required.
2. Has completed or will complete TRN Job Coaching Training and 12-hour shadow-training requirement.
3. Six months of experience working with individuals with disabilities required.
4. One-two years of prior experience in a position of similar scope or teaching in a school system preferred.
5. Completion of VR Orientation training.
6. Completion of Project SEARCH required training, and all required Continuing Education Units (CEUs) associated with Project SEARCH training.  
7. Completion of Transition TN training and 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) annually.
8. Education and/or training in the areas of supervision and management.
9. The ability to effectively communicate through verbal and written mediums.
10. Knowledge of CPI techniques and/or behavior analysis preferred.
11. The ability to observe, ask questions, listen actively, and give and accept feedback effectively.
12. A high energy level, adaptability, assertiveness, patience, and ability to work in a team environment.
13. Knowledge of computers, specifically Excel and Word applications.
14. Ability to work autonomously.
15. Flexibility in assigned working hours.
16. Time management and follow-up skills with ability to plan, organize and prioritize a large workload, and handle several tasks simultaneously.
17. Operation of a motor vehicle is required which includes proof of a valid driver's license, an ability to maintain automobile liability insurance as required by state law in Tennessee, and an ability to qualify as a driver under MillarRich, LLC insurance guidelines.