Under direct supervision of the Production Manager, the incumbent is responsible for teaching, assisting and generally supervising the Program Assistants who provide direct care and instruction to program participants.  The skill development activities include weaving, glass, jewelry and other arts and craft skills, adapted to meet the individual participant’s needs and abilities; these activities may occur in group or individual settings. The position also assists with the ordering and restocking of supplies and equipment and accurate inventory management. The position assists in providing clear instructions which are geared toward participants’ abilities through the use of adaptations, modifications and accommodations, and on an as-needed basis, performing all the duties of an Adult Program Assistant.  Other duties include operating a register, restocking, assessing inventory needs and ensuring cleanliness and overall appearance. An important aspect of the job is the responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of adult program participants. Work requires patience, compassion, understanding and the desire to help individuals with disabilities become as self-sufficient as possible. 

This position is classified as non-exempt and in accordance with the Federal regulations is eligible for overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week.  Note:  Overtime must be pre-approved and time off from work either paid or unpaid is not considered in determining hours worked in a week.

Other Performance Measures

Successful performance on the job requires following safety guidelines and policies to reduce accident or injury to self or students, school dress standards, proper attendance and leave policies, and compliance with other policies set forth in the Employee Handbook.  Creativity, initiative and effective problem solving is also important to the success of the incumbent.

Examples of Essential Functions

• Plan, design, organize and direct Coletta Collections production in the areas of weaving, jewelry, glass and tie dye.
• Provide direction, support and training to staff working in the weaving space and fulfillment space, as well as other staff working with participants who are completing Coletta Collections production.
• Create and implement a system of skills building training that directly supports the needs of the weaving, tie dye and glass studio.
• Encourage participants to take part in skill building training sessions by supporting their creativity and assessing their reactions to various activities.
• Assist in solving production issues and errors.
• Assist with making design decisions, if changes need to be made.
• Assist with finishing jewelry and glass production.
• Research, select, and purchase supplies and equipment that is appropriate for the program participants. Placing and appropriately receiving orders for production supplies and following up if orders are incorrect/incomplete.
• Provide support and loom set-up as needed for adult program participants.
• Operate cash register, receive payment from customers for purchases, and reconcile receipts and revenue daily; maintain inventory and restocking requirements.
• With direction, create and execute designs chosen for prototyping in all areas of production and adapt designs to fit the skill levels of participants.
• Create and implement structures and adaptations, as needed, for participants to successfully and as independently as possible complete production in all areas.
• Make sure staff and participants are on-track for season production schedule.
• Check for quality control during and after production is finished.
• Communicate with other team members at other locations, including facilities staff.
• Works on special orders, as needed.
• Travel to Rockville site weekly to conduct work/training sessions and ensure that staff there have plans for work between visits.
• Complete required reports and paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Maintain all equipment, including looms and kilns.
• Ability to facilitate participant’s work.
• Ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, crawling and brisk walking, and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (45 lbs.).
• Ability to lift and position physically disabled individuals may be required. 
• Most tasks require oral communication, visual and hearing perception, and the ability to get around the classrooms, cafeteria, gym, campus, etc. 
• The ability to keep up with running children and or to lift or assist with lifting students is essential.
• Maintain confidentiality of parent, student and staff personal identifiable information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Some knowledge of the basic principles and elements of art.
• Some knowledge of drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass fusion, and jewelry making.
• Demonstrated ability to fulfill the dexterity and physical requirements of the work, and effectively attend to the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers as well as program participants and their family members, residential providers and significant others as needed.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow directions found in manuals such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and other procedure manuals.
• Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain required program records in a timely manner.
• Ability to provide instructions for the preparation and/or organization of materials.
• Successful completion of the required training courses within specified period of employment.  Training courses include, but are not limited to Orientation to MR, Human Rights, HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, Incident Report Writing, Medication Administration, Case Notes and Confidentiality, Behavior Management, CPR, First Aid and Mandt training.
• Tuberculosis screening to assure no significant risk to the health and safety of others.
• Successfully passing a criminal background investigation and pre-employment and random drug screening.

Examples of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of conflict resolution and behavior management techniques.
• Some knowledge of Medicaid laws and compliance with such regulations.
• Some knowledge of the legal rights of program participants.
• Ability to operate general office equipment, cell phones, basic computer operation/literacy.
• Ability to apply principles to solve problems and deal with a variety of unpredictable situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret and follow instructions furnished verbally, in writing, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence using English grammar and spelling.

Sensory Requirements

Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.

Minimum Acceptable Education and Experience

Associate’s degree or a minimum of a High School Diploma and prior experience working with Special Needs adult population. At least 18 years of age. Skill or prior training in weaving, ceramics, glass fusion, gardening, textile, or fine arts is a preferred.

Peyton St. Hours of Work 

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM    Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM    Wednesday

8:30 AM – 4:00 PM    Friday

Physical Demands: The physical demands 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.