Employment Specialist

The employment specialist is responsible for enhancing the vocational skills and job readiness for individuals within the community pre‑vocational program and supported employment program. The employment specialist assists individuals with developing work readiness skills, getting and maintaining gainful employment within an integrated setting. Schedule is 8 am‑4 pm, 3 days a week. Care of individuals Employs procedures that maintain an environment of care that is safe and therapeutic. Provides direct care to individuals per agency policy. Implements appropriate supervision. Participates in Life Plan meetings. Establishes appropriate volunteer and work sites per individuals’ plans and needs. Safely transports individuals as assigned per the level of supervision required. Assists assigned individuals with specific tasks as designated by the individual treatment plan. Completes all required paperwork in compliance with OPWDD and Medicaid billing standards. Builds community relationships to ensure fair access to community resources. Problem‑solving to help individuals maintain employment and overcome barriers. Monitors individuals’ progress at volunteer sites and employment. Complete annual assessments as required. Supports individuals at jobsites to ensure the best possible outcome. Assures appropriate boundaries. Adheres to the DSP Code of Ethics. Demonstrates the ability to meet the OPWDD Core Competency standards. Successfully completes all required trainings. Maintains current with all required trainings. Completes required hours of OPWDD Supportive Employment Training in the first year and after. Policies and Procedures Must abide by agency policies and follow applicable procedures. Learns and follows each individual’s Behavior Support Plan (BSP), including what physical interventions are appropriate for each individual. Must also document any incidents and make appropriate notifications per training and agency policy. Provides coverage as assigned. Remains on‑duty until properly briefed and appropriate parameters are met. Supervision Actively participates in supervision. Participates in agency and other staff development opportunities as assigned. Attains and actively participates in all trainings. Attends and participates in all staff meetings. Agency Responsibilities Engages in all living unit, service, and/or department planning. Participates in activities and committees. Changes work location to meet agency needs. Maintains appropriate attendance and punctuality. Communication Reviews and signs off on all logs and thoroughly completes the briefing. Completes all necessary communications, documentation’s and loggings. Properly notifies and/or consults with the Administrator on Duty (AOD). Proactively and effectively liaises with other disciplines, internal and external Service Providers, and families as appropriate. Appropriately utilizes the chain of command. As assigned and will complete the section of the monthly report. Maintains professionalism. Engages in appropriate workplace conversations. Environment of Care Completes assigned cleanup procedures, checklists, and schedules. Proactively and effectively liaises with Maintenance, House Manager, Coordinators, Direct Support Supervisors and Directors. Runs routine in the absence of other team members when necessary. Supports Quality Assurance Quality Improvement directives. Other Responsibilities Completes all responsibilities as properly assigned by supervisor or designee. When required, assures and assists with supervision of all individuals served. Promotes and supports cultural diversity and competence and is strength‑based. As this list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all‑inclusive, other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned from time to time as business needs require. Requirements High school Diploma/GED 1 year of experience working with individuals with varying disabilities. Valid NYS Driver’s license with a clean MVR to ensure the ability to drive agency vehicles. May be required to complete an online Defensive Driving course. Ability to work independently and self‑monitor progress. Ability to multitask and schedule time efficiently. Ability to write legibly. Ability to communicate effectively with other disciplines and individuals served. Ability to perform physical interventions. Pay: $18.00-$20.00 per hr. Vanderheyden is committed to the National Sanctuary Model – a blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma‑informed community. The Sanctuary Model’s focus is not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems that provide those services. Vanderheyden, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, prior arrest or conviction record or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr