Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Coach

Organization: RISE Services
Pay: $21.00 per hour, plus mileage reimbursement
Status: Full-time, benefits eligible
Schedule: Primarily evenings and weekends, based on student availability
Work Setting: Community-based with regular local travel

Help Students Prepare for Employment and Life After High School

RISE Services is seeking an energetic, dependable, and student-centered Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Coach to support students with disabilities as they explore careers, gain workplace experience, and prepare for life after high school.

This position provides Pre-ETS through state vocational rehabilitation programs, including the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and/or the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).

Because most students attend school during the day, services will be delivered primarily during afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Candidates must be available to work a flexible schedule based on student availability, work experiences, and program needs.

About RISE Services

RISE Services is a mission-driven organization with extensive experience helping individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain competitive integrated employment. We provide person-centered services that help people build skills, access opportunities, increase independence, and achieve meaningful outcomes in employment and community life.

Position Summary

The Pre-ETS Coach works with students with disabilities, generally ages 14–21, who have an IEP or Section 504 Plan and are interested in exploring employment, education, training, and career opportunities.

Through individualized instruction and hands-on activities, the Pre-ETS Coach helps students:

• Explore career interests and employment options.

• Develop workplace-readiness and self-advocacy skills.

• Learn about education and training opportunities after high school.

• Prepare for and participate in work-based learning experiences.

• Complete practical employment steps, such as obtaining work permits and preparing for interviews.

• Build confidence, independence, and professional skills.

Essential Responsibilities

Deliver Pre-ETS Services

• Provide individualized and small-group Pre-ETS activities in accordance with vocational rehabilitation requirements and each student’s authorized services.

• Deliver services related to the five core Pre-ETS areas:

  • Job exploration counseling

  • Work-based learning experiences

  • Counseling on postsecondary education and training opportunities

  • Workplace-readiness training

  • Instruction in self-advocacy

• Adapt activities and instruction to each student’s abilities, communication style, interests, and support needs.

• Help students identify strengths, interests, career preferences, and future goals.

Career Exploration and Workplace Readiness

• Introduce students to different careers, industries, occupations, and employment pathways.

• Teach foundational employment skills, including communication, teamwork, punctuality, problem-solving, workplace behavior, and professional appearance.

• Assist students with resumes, applications, interviewing, and other job-readiness activities.

• Conduct mock interviews and practical career-development exercises.

• Help students understand employer expectations, workplace culture, and appropriate professional behavior.

• Promote independence, informed choice, and student self-advocacy.

Work-Based Learning

• Help identify short-term work experiences, job-shadowing opportunities, workplace tours, informational interviews, and other approved career-related activities.

• Match work-based learning opportunities with students’ interests, strengths, and career goals.

• Assist students with work permits and other employment-preparation requirements.

• Prepare students for trial work experiences and provide support before, during, and after participation.

• Communicate with employers and community partners to coordinate safe, meaningful learning opportunities.

• Monitor student participation and progress during approved work experiences.

Collaboration and Service Coordination

• Maintain regular communication with students, families, school personnel, vocational rehabilitation counselors, employers, and community partners.

• Collaborate with DARS and/or DORS counselors to ensure services are delivered according to authorizations and program requirements.

• Coordinate schedules and activities around school attendance, family availability, and work-based learning opportunities.

• Represent RISE Services professionally in schools, workplaces, and community settings.

• Communicate concerns, barriers, and student progress to appropriate team members.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete accurate and timely service notes, progress reports, timesheets, and other required documentation.

• Track student participation, activities, progress, and outcomes.

• Follow RISE Services policies and all applicable vocational rehabilitation requirements.

• Maintain student confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• Participate in required meetings, training, supervision, and quality-assurance activities.

Required Qualifications

• Experience working with youth or young adults with disabilities.

• Knowledge of transition services, education, career development, workforce preparation, or disability services.

• Ability to engage, motivate, and build positive relationships with teenagers and young adults.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent organization, time-management, and documentation skills.

• Ability to work independently in schools, workplaces, and community-based settings.

• Availability to work primarily during afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel regularly to service locations.

• Ability to meet applicable background-check and employment requirements.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in education, human services, social work, psychology, counseling, rehabilitation, special education, or a related field.

• Experience providing Pre-ETS, school-to-work transition services, career coaching, job coaching, or vocational rehabilitation services.

• Familiarity with Virginia DARS and/or Maryland DORS requirements and processes.

• Experience working with students who have IEPs or Section 504 Plans.

• Experience developing or coordinating work-based learning opportunities.

• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, workplace accommodations, and disability inclusion.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Pre-ETS Coach is:

• Patient, encouraging, and genuinely interested in helping young people succeed.

• Creative and able to make career-development activities engaging and practical.

• Dependable and comfortable managing a flexible schedule.

• Professional when communicating with families, schools, counselors, and employers.

• Organized and able to complete documentation accurately and on time.

• Comfortable traveling and providing services in different community settings.

• Committed to promoting student choice, independence, inclusion, and self-advocacy.

Schedule and Work Environment

This is a full-time, community-based position. Services may be delivered in schools, workplaces, community locations, and other approved settings.

Since students are generally in school during regular daytime hours, candidates should expect the majority of direct services to occur during:

• Afternoons

• Evenings

• Weekends

• School breaks and holidays

• Other times based on student and employer availability

Some daytime availability may be required for school meetings, vocational rehabilitation coordination, training, documentation, employer development, and other administrative responsibilities.

Benefits

Eligible full-time employees may receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holiday accrual

• Short-term disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Long-term care option

• Employee Assistance Program

• Employee Tenure Bonus Program

• Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel

• Paid training and professional development

Eligibility requirements may apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RISE Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal access to employment. 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 are passionate about helping students with disabilities explore careers, develop workplace skills, and prepare for successful futures, we encourage you to apply. Join RISE Services and help young people take meaningful steps toward employment, independence, and life after high school.