Skills Trainer – Barnegat, NJ

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The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, education, psychology

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put our heart and soul into everything we do.

We are seeking a Skills Trainer to join our team in Ocean County, NJ.

Earn: $22.12 per hour.

The Skills Trainer plays a key role in supporting students with disabilities as they prepare for future employment through New Jersey’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program.

This position is responsible for delivering structured, individualized instruction across five core areas: job exploration, work-based learning experiences, post-secondary education counseling, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy training.

Working closely with DVR counselors, schools, families, and the Program Coordinator, the Skills Trainer helps students identify realistic employment goals, build transferable skills, and access meaningful learning opportunities in the community. The role requires strong organization, compassionate communication, flexibility, and a deep commitment to empowering students on their path toward independence and competitive employment.

Through consistent service delivery, detailed documentation, and professional collaboration, the Skills Trainer ensures that students receive high-quality transition support while meeting program standards and billable expectations. This is a dynamic position ideal for individuals who are passionate about education, equity, and helping young people thrive.

The Skills Trainer will:

• Complete all NJ Pre-Service training and professional development (Boggs Center, CDS, etc.) as scheduled.
• Fulfill all required new hire training within 60 days of hire and as requested by management.
• Support the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) process for each student, collaborating with DVR and school personnel to help identify appropriate, realistic employment goals.
• Conduct intakes and assessments for all assigned students to determine service needs and readiness.
• Create and maintain a daily calendar that prioritizes consumer services and reflects caseload needs, appointments, and compliance with agency expectations.
• Maintain a consistent average of 31 billable hours per week through direct service provision.
• Collaborate regularly with the Program Coordinator to ensure best practices in caseload management and service quality.
• Deliver all five required components of Pre-Employment Transition Services as outlined by WINTAC.org: v Job Exploration Counseling v Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE) v Counseling on Post-Secondary Education Options v Workplace Readiness Training v Instruction in Self-Advocacy
• Communicate regularly, professionally, and respectfully with DVR counselors, school representatives, employers, and families.
• Complete daily documentation in SETWorks, including progress notes and relevant service details.
• Submit Monthly Activity Reports as required by funders, ensuring timely and accurate reporting upon completion of each student’s authorized hours.
• Support students in accessing necessary resources and services that contribute to employment success (e.g., technology, clothing, tutoring, etc.).
• Provide travel instruction or orientation to public transportation when needed for participation in Work-Based Learning Experiences.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings to support communication, share student progress, and improve service delivery.
• Effectively balance, organize, and prioritize caseload responsibilities to ensure timely and person-centered service.
• Submit accurate and timely timecards, calendars, service logs, and progress reports to program management.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, flexibility, and responsiveness in a field that frequently shifts in process and expectation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management to support overall program success.

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan — both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay — access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package – https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!