About the Department:

The Mason LIFE Program (MLP) is a 4-year post-secondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment.

About the Position:

The Mason LIFE Employment & Community Involvement Coordinator is responsible for: guiding MLP students in employment settings both on- and off-campus internships; matching MLP students and employment support staff and designing individual employment schedules; coordinating and training support staff or mentors, as well as employers; coordinating adult service collaboration; assessing current sites for feasibility and determining new work site opportunities; providing on-going budgetary monitoring; participating and attending core administrative meetings; and maintaining alumni data on post-college employment status. In addition, the Coordinator supports MLP students to facilitate understanding of various jobs and work responsibilities, to include the creation of a work portfolio with resume, as well as the development of interview skills. The position designs and implements employment classes, evaluates student performance, and disseminates data on MLP outcomes by attending transition fairs and conferences. Community Involvement (CI) oversight will be provided to include: monitoring planned CI activities; tracking student participation on a weekly basis; meeting with students as needed to assist with planning and participating in CI; and providing mid-semester and final grades for CI.

Responsibilities:

• Guides students in employment settings;
• Matches students with internship placements;
• Designs individual employment schedules;
• Assists students with resume writing and interview skills;
• Provides oversight of weekly Employment lab;
• Recruits and trains support staff and employers;
• Provides ongoing training, guidance, and consultation to support staff/ employers throughout academic year;
• Monitors and plans Community Involvement (CI) activities;
• Tracks student participation on a weekly basis;
• Meets with students as needed to assist with planning and participating in CI;
• Provides mid-semester and final grades;
• Assesses current sites for feasibility;
• Maintains alumni data on post-college employment status;
• Stays up to date with research and analyzes data on current trends on employment initiatives within inclusive post-secondary programs;
• Coordinates Adult Services Collaboration as needed; and
• Plans and facilitates 4th year transition meetings. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities (typically 2 years);
• Experience working collaboratively in a group and/or independently with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Experience working with adult services/community resources for individuals with disabilities;
• Experience assisting individuals with employment/career readiness skills;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its amendments;
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to build partnerships;
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to create presentations and present to stakeholders and partners; and 
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with university stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in transition services or postsecondary education program (typically 1 year);
• Experience working in a higher education setting;
• Experience supervising staff;
• Knowledge of National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies;
• Knowledge of resources for job development for individuals with disabilities related to transition;
• Knowledge of adult services; and
• Proficiency in Microsoft office suite/ability to learn new technology systems.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Employment & Community Involvement Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 24, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 18, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes