Employment Specialist

At Joshua Tree, our vision is to bring healing, help, and hope to individuals, families, schools, and communities. As an Employment Specialist, you will directly implement this vision by delivering state agency-approved vocational and transition services. We are seeking dedicated, results-driven professionals to work one-on-one with clients with developmental and physical disabilities while also conducting transition instruction in local high schools. Your primary mission is to empower clients to find meaningful employment, develop essential life skills, and provide the strategic, ongoing support necessary for them to thrive in the workplace. By canvassing your assigned region, partnering with local employers, and cultivating deep professional relationships, you will ensure social services serve as a springboard for real-world economic mobility. Our "Core Four" Culture These principles are the driving force behind everything we do. A commitment to making these values your daily driving force is expected of all team members and plays a major role in our candidate selection process: 1. Strive for Excellence : Dedication to high standards, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional quality in all services rendered. 2. Work with Confidence : Demonstrating professional resilience, leadership authority, and clarity of purpose in high-pressure scenarios. 3. Practice Discipline : Upholding personal accountability, structural order, time management, and a commitment to strict compliance standards. 4. Lead with Love : Leading with deep empathy, prioritizing the development and well-being of the team and clients, and maintaining a gossip-free work culture. Duties & Responsibilities Supported Employment & Individual Placement : Work one-on-one biweekly with clients to teach social, vocational, and life skills, search for open jobs, accompany clients to interviews, and provide on-the-job coaching after hire. Workplace Readiness Training : Mentor clients through career inventories, advisement, resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews, and work site sampling evaluations. Transition Instruction (Pre-ETS) : Teach structured high school modules in areas such as Self-Advocacy, Work Readiness, Career Exploration, Financial Literacy, and Post-Secondary Options. Community Canvassing & Networking : Actively visit businesses in your assigned region to inquire about job openings, present our Community Partner Program, and expand placement opportunities. Relationship Building : Build meaningful, trust-based partnerships with VR staff, clients, natural support systems, and school personnel to maintain annual service referrals. Event Participation : Assist with community-targeted events, leadership initiatives, Special Olympics, and extracurricular transition programs. Requirements & Experience Education & Credentials : A Bachelor's degree and/or Certifications in Business Administration, Social Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, Education, Ministry, or a related field is preferred. Experience : 1–3 years of proven success (paid or unpaid) in similar fields. Key Skills : Self-motivated and disciplined to manage an ever-changing schedule without direct supervision. Exceptional public speaking, negotiation, written reporting, and Google Workspace software skills required. Must be able to learn and use our CRM app for tracking and rendering services. Schedule & Location : W-2 full-time hybrid position (work from home combined with field canvassing and school visits) requiring 35 to 40 hours per week scheduled around GVRA office hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM). Travel up to an hour from assigned GVRA office(s) may be required. Operational Requirements : Position begins with a 90-day probationary period. Employment is "at-will" and contingent upon a clear federal background check, state credential approval, and successful interview with JTSG leadership. Compensation & Package Base Salary : $42,000 per year ($3,500 per month). Expense Allowance : $250 per month ($3,000 per year) paid on the 15th pay period check to cover field travel. Pre-ETS Commission : $10 per student commission for Pre-ETS services paid on the end-of-month pay period check. Payroll Cadence : Issued semi-monthly on the 15th and 30th (or last business day of the month) via Direct Deposit. Benefits & Coverage : Covered under company liability insurance during official service delivery. Traditional benefit eligibility during annual enrollment; non-traditional benefits available after 90 days. #J-18808-Ljbffr