Job Description:

Location: District/Community Site (Essentia Health)

Department: Special Education

Reports To: Program Supervisor

Term: Ongoing 188-day contract beginning with the 2026-2027 school year 
(Prorated depending on start date)

Schedule: Mon-Fri Full-time

SUMMARY: The Project SEARCH Skills Trainer supports student interns with disabilities in developing competitive, marketable employment skills within community-based internship sites. Working collaboratively with the Project SEARCH Instructor and host business staff, the Skills Trainer provides individualized training, facilitates workplace integration, and promotes independence for interns in real-world employment settings.
 
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Other duties may be assigned)
Collaboration:
Develops positive, effective working relationships with interns, staff, and host business employees.
Collaborates with instructors, families, and agency personnel to support intern success.
Acts as a liaison between interns and workplace teams

Communication:
Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity.
Utilizes effective communication skills to facilitate connection and sharing of thoughts and ideas in multiple formats with diverse audiences.
Communicates clearly and professionally with interns, staff, and stakeholders.
Provides instruction, feedback, and coaching to interns.
Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.

Compassion:
Supports intern dignity, independence, and growth.
Demonstrates respect and understanding of individual needs.
Encourages positive workplace behaviors and relationships.
Empowers learners to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic learners, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.
Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences.
Partners with others to resolve potential controversy and conflict through respectful discussion.
Proactively seeks to understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others.

Creativity:
Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall learner and employee experience.
Utilizes creative, critical thinking skills when faced with challenges.
Adapts instruction and training strategies to meet individual intern needs.
Develops task analyses and customized supports.
Identifies accommodations and assistive technology solutions.

Critical Thinking:
Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding.
Assesses intern performance and workplace expectations.
Uses data and observation to adjust training approaches.
Problem-solves barriers to intern success in real time.

Reflection:
Demonstrates understanding of the diverse social, emotional and developmental learning needs of learners.
Utilizes frequent opportunities for visible learner engagement, self-assessment, and self-reflection.
Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities.
Monitors intern progress and provides ongoing feedback.
Participates in team discussions to evaluate progress and outcomes.
Engages in professional learning and continuous improvement.

Resilience:
Maintains flexibility across changing environments and job sites.
Responds calmly to challenges and supports interns through difficulties.
Demonstrates persistence in promoting intern success and independence.
Responds effectively to challenges that arise in workplace settings or during internship experiences.
Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.
Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiative to resolve knowledge gaps.

Responsibility:
Provides individualized training and systematic instruction.
Supports interns in meeting productivity and quality standards.
Completes required documentation and data tracking.
Provides travel training and workplace readiness instruction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear.
The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision.
The employee may frequently lift up to ~25 pounds without assistance.
The employee may occasionally lift up to ~50 pounds without assistance.
The employee may have to push/pull up to ~120 pounds while performing the duties of the role.
The employee may frequently be required to sit on, and rise from, the floor.
The employee may perform a two-person transport, restraint, or lift (with training provided).
The employee may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens or other bodily fluids on rare occasions.
The employee will work in an environment that has a quiet to loud noise level.
 
Education and/or Experience:
High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
Previous experience working with school-aged learners is preferred.
Associate's Degree is preferred.
Experience working with complex learner behaviors is preferred.
 
Language Skills:
Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively.
 
Other Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
Ability to exercise confidentiality, discretion, and professional judgment.
Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance.
 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 
None 

Salary: Positions follow the Classified Salary Schedule 2026-2027 at Step A134. Starting salary is $18.75-20.95/hr. (based on experience).

To Apply: Please complete the application and provide a letter of interest, a resume, and three letters of recommendation. Please also include your transcripts and a copy of your licensure through ESPB, if available.