Seattle Parks and Recreation Americorps Position – The Able Teens Job Coach

The Able Teens (TAT):  Washington Initiative for Supportive Employment (WiSe) and the Seattle Parks and Recreation have partnered the past three years to offer an out-of-school time vocational training program for teens between the ages of 14 and 19 with developmental disabilities.   This is a free job readiness program which develops and utilizes person-centered plans, incorporates a variety of vocational related training and volunteer work experiences and provides leadership opportunities in hopes that each participant will be more independent and ultimately obtain an hourly paid position.  In addition, TAT provides information about other additional resources that could benefit the TAT member and/or their family.

Examples of previous volunteer work experiences include sorting books at a neighborhood library,  organizing donations at a food bank, preparing and serving snack to elementary aged children, providing light custodial work at a community center and assisting with set-up and clean-up of community events.  Examples of previous vocational related training include resume writing, interviewing skills, financial literacy, time management, effective communication, meeting with a variety of professionals and visiting local businesses and organizations.

During the school year the TAT program operates five days a week generally from 2:30 pm to 6 pm but members can select how often per week they would like to participate.  Families of TAT members are asked to volunteer six hours per month to the program.  TAT members have diverse interests and varying levels of abilities and can require one-on-one job coaching.  Typically the ratio is three TAT members to one job coach.  For more information on the program, go to the website: http://www.charityadvantage.com/WISEHFZKFA/TheAbleTeens.asp

Americorps Member Responsibilities:  The Americorps member will work alongside other TAT program staff in all aspects of the planning, facilitation, and delivery of the program.  Americorps members will be expected to:

Qualifications:

• 18 – 25 years old.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience working with diverse populations
  • Experience working with populations with special needs preferred
• Previous volunteer experience highly desirable
• Self motivated and independent worker
• Ability to multi-task with multiple deadlines
• Must be patient, flexible, creative and resourceful
• Available to work some weekends

Length of Service:  Service would begin October 1^st  2008 and will terminate on August 15^th 2009.  Members will work 40 hours per week.

Compensation:

            · $950 per month living allowance

· Education Award – Upon completion of 1700 hours of service, Americorps

member will receive $4,725 education award.

· Health Insurance

· Workers’ Compensation

· Student Loan Forbearance

To Apply: