SPARK EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Job Description

Job Description

The SPARK Employment Specialist is responsible for coordinating and

providing pre-vocational and job planning services and coordinating and providing supported

employment services to individuals receiving subminimum wage who have expressed interest in exploring Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) under the Subminimum Wage to

Competitive Integrated Employment (SPARK) grant offered through the Department of

Education Rehabilitation Services Administration. The position is responsible for job development, intensive training, and long-term support services.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:

Direct Duties:  

• Adheres to Wake Enterprises Code of Ethics at all times.
• Assures that no person is subject to abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.
• Recognizes obligation to immediately report any suspected abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.
• Provides CIE Outreach to individuals with IDD that will allow them to make an informed choice regarding CIE.  
• Receives referrals, conduct initial interviews, and assist SPARK Navigator with developing and monitoring service plans.
• Participates in meetings that will determine referrals and services that meet the needs of the individual taking into consideration CIE and all meaningful day options.  
• Assists Navigator in gathering and reporting all data elements as required by SPARK grant and project team.  
• Works with participants and relevant stakeholders to identify barriers to employment and helps them to develop skill sets to address those barriers. 
• Monitors the progress of all SPARK participants. 
• Communicates with participants, their families, caregivers, and other team members to support their employment plan and to integrate other services as needed.   
• Supports participants with CIE goals and activities and intervene on their behalf as necessary. 
• Must have reliable transportation and use your personal vehicle to attend meetings and may be required to transport participants. 
• Develops opportunities for supported internships for SPARK participants to provide them experiential opportunities to make an informed choice regarding CIE.
• Assesses client’s vocational function and interests on an ongoing basis using background information, discovery, observation, and work experiences.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the individual.
• Models for participants appropriate interviewing techniques, personal hygiene, social interactions, and work skills necessary for competitive employment.
• Advocates the participant’s strengths and abilities to perspective employers.
• Provides training and retention services to ensure client success and employer satisfaction.
• Identify difficult areas that need special attention or modification to enable the participant to succeed and work with them to overcome these challenges. Assists participants in responding to the employer’s needs.
• Assists participants with integrating socially into the workplace by introducing them to supervisors, coworkers, etc. 
• Assists individuals with utilizing public transportation or other means of transportation as necessary to provide them with opportunities for competitive employment.
• Works 1:1 with the participant teaching him/her on how to perform the job. Utilize any props needed to assist the participant with completing the necessary expected tasks.
• Collect and maintain data to be turned in daily.
• Completes worksite safety checklist initially and annually thereafter.
• Maintains case files. Writes detailed case notes. Tracks program/grant required statistics and summarizes in report form.
• Attend all mandatory agency trainings and attend all trainings and meetings as scheduled. 
• Assures confidentiality of person(s) being served.
• Documents time worked accurately.  
• Other duties as assigned by management.

• Other Responsibilities:
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with participants, staff and other professionals.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
• Communicates effectively in oral and written form.  Reads, analyzes, and interprets participant data. Applies common sense to solve problems.
• Follows and enforces safety regulations, including OSHA requirements.
• Dresses appropriately for the workplace.
• Maintains a neat and clean work area. Completes cleaning duties around the building and on the grounds as assigned.  
• Receive referrals, conduct initial interviews, and develop service plans.
• Respects and maintains the confidentiality of participant information.
• Observes work hours and is punctual for appointments and meetings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

ADHERE TO AND FOLLOW

• The By-Laws of the Corporation and as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have clean background record.
• Must pass a drug screening prior to hire; and randomly thereafter.
• Bachelor’s degree plus 1 year experience in field of human services.  
• Experience with IDD population preferred. 
• Strong belief in CIE for individuals with IDD.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with clean Driving Record and proof of current insurance.
• Must have NCI CORE certification.
• May be required to receive Hepatitis B Immunization.
• May be required to obtain First Aid Certification/CPR.
• May be required to have Medication Administration Certification.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Critical thinking, problem solving, and solution focused ability to ensure SPARK participants achieve CIE. 
• Strong organizational skills to manage several individuals simultaneously.  
• Ability to gather, track, and submit large data fields by predefined deadlines.  
• Strong interpersonal skills. 
• An understanding of the philosophy of community-based and work programs. 

Must have experience working with computers.

About Company:

Apis Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its Constellation of affiliate companies. Allowing these entities to advance their mission and vision. By exploring geographical program expansion and focusing on quality outcome measures to create cost savings that result in reinvestment into the organizations stakeholders through capacity creation and employee compensation betterment. 

Apis Services, Inc. and affiliate’s provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment in compliance with all federal and all applicable state and local laws and regulations, including nondiscrimination in hiring and employment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy/childbirth, veteran status or any other basis protected by law. This policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunities extends to every phase and aspect of hiring and employment.