Job Coach

Job Coach / Employment Specialist – Part-Time

Location: Bridgewater, Virginia
Service Area: Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, and surrounding Rockingham County communities
Pay: $21.00–$22.00 per hour, based on experience
Hours: Up to 29 hours per week, with the potential to transition to full-time
Schedule: Predominantly daytime hours, Monday through Friday
Work Setting: Community-based with regular local travel
Mileage: Reimbursement for approved work-related travel

Help People Build Careers and Greater Independence

RISE Services is hiring a compassionate, dependable, and resourceful Job Coach / Employment Specialist to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment.

In this community-based role, you will meet participants at employer worksites and other locations throughout Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, and surrounding Rockingham County communities. You will help participants explore employment interests, search and apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, learn workplace responsibilities, communicate with employers, and develop the skills needed for long-term employment success.

A bachelor’s degree is not required. We welcome applicants with relevant experience in disability services, human services, education, behavioral health, workforce development, direct support, career coaching, case management, retail supervision, customer service, or other positions involving teaching, mentoring, or helping others succeed.

Training is provided.

Schedule and Hours

This position offers up to 29 hours per week. Most services are provided during daytime hours, Monday through Friday.

Weekend work is occasionally needed to provide coverage when another employee is unavailable, but this is not a regularly scheduled weekend position.

Weekly schedules may include:

• On-site job coaching

• Job searching and completing applications

• Resume and interview preparation

• Employer outreach

• Employment-readiness activities

• Community-based participant meetings

• Progress notes and required documentation

When a participant is not working their full number of authorized service hours, the Job Coach may provide other approved employment services, including job searching, completing applications, developing resumes, preparing for interviews, contacting employers, and teaching workplace-readiness skills.

Employees who want additional hours may have the opportunity to transition to full-time as caseloads and service needs grow. Full-time hours are not guaranteed and depend on participant referrals, scheduling needs, employee availability, and satisfactory job performance.

What You’ll Do

Job Coaching and Workplace Support

• Provide individualized coaching at employer worksites and in community settings.

• Help participants learn job duties, workplace routines, safety procedures, and employer expectations.

• Teach workplace communication, professional behavior, time management, and problem-solving skills.

• Help participants communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers.

• Develop natural workplace supports that promote greater independence.

• Monitor progress and adjust coaching strategies as participants develop new skills.

• Provide ongoing support to promote successful job retention.

Job Search and Career Preparation

• Help participants identify their strengths, interests, abilities, support needs, and employment goals.

• Assist with resumes, applications, job searches, and interview preparation.

• Conduct mock interviews and employment-readiness activities.

• Identify opportunities that match each participant’s interests, abilities, experience, and goals.

• Coordinate interviews, hiring activities, and onboarding support.

• Help participants understand workplace expectations and identify reasonable accommodations when appropriate.

Employer and Community Engagement

• Build professional relationships with employers throughout the local community.

• Contact businesses to identify potential employment opportunities.

• Educate employers about inclusive hiring and available workplace supports.

• Communicate with participants, families, employers, counselors, schools, and community partners.

• Attend hiring events, team meetings, training, and other scheduled activities.

Documentation and Service Coordination

• Complete accurate progress notes and service documentation within required deadlines.

• Maintain participant records according to funding-source and organizational requirements.

• Track job searches, applications, interviews, placements, wages, scheduled hours, and employment retention.

• Communicate participant progress, concerns, and scheduling changes to the appropriate supervisor.

• Participate in service-planning and team-coordination activities.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is not required.

• Relevant experience supporting individuals with disabilities or others who experience barriers to employment is preferred.

• Experience in teaching, coaching, mentoring, customer service, supervision, human services, behavioral health, workforce development, or a related field may also be considered.

• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to work independently and make responsible decisions in community settings.

• Ability to maintain a consistent schedule and complete documentation on time.

• Basic computer skills, including email, Microsoft Office, and electronic documentation systems.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

• Ability and willingness to travel locally and transport participants when required.

• Ability to satisfy applicable background-screening and employment requirements.

Preferred but Not Required

• Supported Employment, Individual Supported Employment, job-coaching, or job-development experience.

• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental, behavioral, or other disabilities.

• Knowledge of Medicaid Waiver, vocational rehabilitation, or disability-employment services.

• Understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act and reasonable workplace accommodations.

• Experience working with employers, schools, support coordinators, vocational rehabilitation agencies, or community organizations.

• CESP, ACRE, DSP, or another employment-support credential.

Who Will Succeed in This Position?

You may be a strong fit if you are:

• Compassionate, patient, dependable, and encouraging.

• Comfortable working at employer locations and throughout the community.

• Able to teach and motivate participants while promoting independence.

• Professional and confident when communicating with employers and community partners.

• Resourceful and willing to find solutions when challenges arise.

• Organized and able to manage appointments, follow-ups, and documentation.

• Flexible when participant or employer schedules change.

• Comfortable working independently without constant direct supervision.

Why Join RISE Services?

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

• Help people build careers, confidence, and greater independence.

• Work predominantly during weekday daytime hours.

• Receive mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel.

• Participate in paid training and professional development.

• Build experience in human services, disability services, workforce development, and career coaching.

• Access potential opportunities for additional hours and advancement.

• Join a collaborative, growing, and mission-driven organization.

Benefits

Part-time employees may be eligible for:

• Employee Assistance Program

• Employee Tenure Bonus Program

• Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel

• Paid training and professional development

Employees who transition to an eligible full-time position may also receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off

• Paid holidays

• Short-term disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Long-term care option

Benefit eligibility requirements apply.

Important Work-Setting Information

This is a community-based position, not a remote or traditional office-based role. Services are provided at employer worksites and other community locations throughout Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, and surrounding Rockingham County communities.

Applicants must have reliable transportation and be comfortable driving between community locations. Transporting participants may be required as part of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RISE Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We recruit, hire, train, compensate, and promote employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Apply Today

If you enjoy teaching, encouraging others, solving problems, and helping people accomplish meaningful goals, apply for the Part-Time Job Coach / Employment Specialist position with RISE Services.

A bachelor’s degree and previous job-coaching experience are not required. Relevant experience, dependability, professionalism, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed are strongly valued.