Community Coach

Job Description

Job Description

The OPARC Mission

OPARC believes that all individuals deserve the human right to be valued members of society regardless of their intelligence or physical capabilities. OPARC exists to make training, employment, and social opportunities available and to be the champion for thousands of people with disabilities in Southern California.

Title: Community Coach

Function: The Community Coach supports adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in building life skills, fostering independence, and achieving personal goals. This role involves accompanying individuals in community settings to engage in activities such as employment, volunteer work, recreational outings, and skill-building exercises. The coach ensures safety, promotes inclusion, and provides hands-on assistance while encouraging self-advocacy and personal growth.

Essential Functions:

• Provide support, assistance and training to participants in all program areas per their established program plan and in conjunction with the scheduled activities. Be knowledgeable of, and provide training directed toward achieving the chosen goals of each individual participant. Work closely with case managers and supervisor to assure participant’s goals are being met.
• Assist case managers in developing participant goals and objectives to include continual assessment and communication of strengths, challenges, and progress.
• Maintain scheduled activities at all times, with calls to the supervisor if the community schedule is changed.
• Maintain established level of supervision, and at least visual supervision, at all times, for assigned participants. For participants needing additional close monitoring, use the procedures and protocols established for additional safety.
• Adhere to all safety regulations. Monitor participant health and safety concerns at all times, reporting any concern immediately.
• Protocol for behavioral interventions and/or any Restricted Health Care plans must be followed at all times.
• Use good judgment during intervention and assistance with participant concerns.
• Provide suggestions and feedback toward daily community schedules, activities and benefits in relation to participants’ needs, desires and capabilities.
• Provide social and vocational skills training by working alongside the participants using unique instructional strategies geared toward each individual’s needs.
• Provide effective communication using verbal, non-verbal, and demonstrational cues. Engage in conversation soliciting feedback as to program needs and desires.
• Maintain respectful interaction with participants at all times.
• Report any suspected abuse immediately to the proper authorities as required by law and OPARC policy.
• Provide accurate and complete documentation including but not limited to progress notes, daily activity records, communication books, special incident reports, data collection/goal tracking, emergency drills, skills training, vehicle inspections and participant attendance.
• Ensure successful interaction and integration incorporating the most appropriate environments to the learning objective.
• Attend training provided to obtain and maintain current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Compile programming supplies and equipment needed for community outings daily prior to arrival of participants.
• Attend and actively participate in all assigned meetings and trainings.
• Must spend 75% or more of the workday providing direct care to participants, including driving (personal vehicle and/or OPARC vehicle) and abiding by all laws and OPARC policies / procedures
• All other duties and responsibilities assigned

Authority: Assigned participants

Supervised By: Program Manager

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and one year experience in the field of development disabilities preferred but not required; Must demonstrate proficiencies in all job areas; current CPR and First Aid training required and maintained; driving is required - alternate transportation is not an option (such as bus, uber, etc.); must have a clear driving record, valid CA driver’s license, and willingness to drive participants; proof of current vehicle insurance with at least the required minimum coverage; must have a safe reliable vehicle that can transport self along with at least 3 other passengers, the vehicle must pass a vehicle inspection and be available for use during all shifts. Able to lift up to 25 lbs. by self, up to 150 lbs. with one other person; able to push wheelchair with occupant up to one mile; standing up to 80% of the day, walking up to 80%, sitting up to 80%, pushing up to 80%, bending and pulling required up to 50%; squatting up to 25% and repetitive motion may be necessary up to 80% of the day; use chemicals in accordance with manufacturer’s labeled instructions. Ability to tolerate working outside in the elements and/or inside (without heat and air conditioning; cement floors).

Hours: 9:00 - 3:30, (times may vary) Monday through Friday, includes a 1/2 hour unpaid lunch