Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist is the Job Developer for the Community Employment Program. The position is Monday-Friday. Employment Specialists are responsible for providing various job preparation activities, along with focused job development and placement services for youth and adults with diverse abilities. Duties include but are not limited to building relationships with area employers to seek out and develop job openings, preparing individuals for job search/job readiness, providing adequate follow-up services and/or job coaching for individuals working in the community to ensure proper support is provided for successful outcomes. The ability to multi-task is required to successfully achieve all service expectations.

Essential Functions

Job Preparation/Job Development/Job Placement:

• Contact employers to develop appropriate opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities, through job shadows, company tours, work experiences and permanent job placements.
• Maintain strong business relationships with employers for continued placement opportunities.
• Maintain knowledge of state and local job openings through social media, The Job Center of Wisconsin, and all other internet sites including the hidden job market to find prospective employment opportunities.
• Assist individuals with resume preparation and application completion, along with assisting in preparing cover letters, etc.
• Provide interviewing skills, practice interviews as necessary.
• Accompany individuals to job interviews when needed and appropriate.
• Use incentives for employers when job developing such as OJT, WOTC, and Work Experience.
• Initiate a successful job match with individuals that meet their goals, skills, interests, and purpose.
• Assess and provide support services for participants to maintain employment (job coaching, assistive aids, additional training).

Training Services:

• Provide job coaching services for participants at community-based job sites, based on training team needs and individual plan requirements.
• Utilize various tools including the customized on-line career exploration and training system through Opportunities, Inc. to advance knowledge and skills of youth and adult participants. This will be done in both individual and group settings (i.e., classroom).

Communication/Activity/Reporting/Billing:

• Maintain on-going communication with individuals, chosen support network, employer (if appropriate) and funding/referral source until service is completed. Focus on weekly meetings, face to face, phone call communication, email etc.
• Manage funding and referral purchase orders to ensure contracts are completed as expected.
• Write regular formalized reports which will include placement plan, intake information, monthly progress/placement reports, billing notes, follow-up reports and discharge summaries that meet the requirements of agency and funding source.
• Maintain updated and thorough intake requirements, activity records and billing in Apricot (system) to properly document services provided monthly.

Team Support/Expectations:

• Performs all duties in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines governing equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination in the workplace.
• Actively participate in all Team and Agency Meetings.
• Participate in training opportunities as needed to advance the implementation of service delivery, related to the following (DVR, School contract services, Community Employment Services, Agency Initiatives, etc.)
• Other duties as needed to expand Mission.

Service Requirements:

• Due to community-based position, personnel are required to hold a current valid driver's license, current car insurance and maintain a driving record in good standing with company policy, along with a mobile device of communication.
• Must be willing to travel to and from community service sites and work flexible hours Monday-Friday.
• A mobile device is required to maintain communication while in the community. This must be available for work hours in accordance with the agency cell phone/mobile device policy.

Qualifications Requirements:

• Ability to work independently in a professional manner with individual clients, parents/guardians, schools, other service providers, staff, and employers.
• Possess good communication skills.
• Possess excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to meet physical requirements when job coaching individuals

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in the Social Services /Vocational Rehabilitation area or related field or 2-4 years related work experience.
• Experience working with individuals with diverse abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.