Employment and Community Engagement Specialist

Job Location: DLS Farmers Branch - Farmers Branch, TX 75234 Position Type: Full Time Education Level: Associate Degree Travel Percentage: 20% Job Shift: Day Shift Job Category: Other Position Summary The Employment and Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for efficiently managing and executing Envision Dallas’ employment and community program offerings. By collaborating closely with the Senior Manager of Programs Services and Outreach and internal departments, this role focuses on enhancing engagement among visually impaired (BVI) participants, gathering user feedback to improve program experiences, defining requirements, and implementing policies to support Envision’s mission and core values. Key Responsibilities Employment Services Organize & implement general operations of VR employment services and community programs as assigned by Senior Manager. Organize & implement policies and procedures for program aspects of VR employment services and communicate established goals and guidelines to staff and volunteers. Increase engagement of participants within all facets of VR Employment Services. Stay current with the knowledge of TWC VR Employment, Work Readiness and Work Experience Services. Assist Senior Manager with obtaining and maintaining TWC contract for VR Employment, Work Readiness and Work Experience Services. Assist Senior Manager in creating, initiating, and curating programming content and/or training resources needed for Employment, Work Readiness and Work Experience Services at Envision Dallas. Identify clients’ strengths and advise them on how to use those strengths to secure employment or excel in their chosen career path. Provide information on suitable career paths based on clients’ skills, qualifications, interests, and experience. Develop and implement effective job skills training strategies to help clients overcome employment‑related challenges. Conduct tests to assess clients’ job skills and abilities and provide feedback on test results. Review clients’ resumes and suggest improvements as needed. Liaise with employers to identify possible job opportunities for clients with disabilities. Provide resources and referrals, and/or assist with teaching clients how to use job‑related tools, instruments and equipment correctly. Maintain accurate records of clients’ progress as mandated by TWC VR Standard for Providers. Serve as point of contact for local Texas students and residents to participate and attend nationally sponsored Envision events such as Level Up, Heather’s Camp, or CSP events. Maintain tools for outcome measures and evaluation processes to capture data for employment services improvement and realign where necessary. Community Programs Assist in developing and maintaining professional relationships with vision professionals, community groups and vision resources in the community and state. Collaborate with Director of Envision Arts and Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to increase engagement for community programs, share community events and elevate the monthly scheduled programs. Conduct direct contact or digital mailing to recruit participants in community programs. Assist with the development of material for newsletters, websites and other communications that promote community programs and services for the visually impaired. Drive community engagement through the usage of effective registration software, systems and websites. Help facilitate community programs as needed when volunteers are not available. Accommodate the schedule of community program events, activities and tasks to include evenings and weekends as needed. Maintain tools for outcome measures and evaluation processes to capture data for community programs improvement and realign where necessary. Outreach Collaborate with Senior Manager and internal team leaders to ensure that branding, programming and strategies align with the overall mission and core values of Envision. Represent Envision at outreach events by communicating Envision’s mission and the services that we offer to community groups, long‑term care facilities, school groups, community activities and other public events Envision may participate in or sponsor. Assist in fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including school districts, teachers, vocational rehab agencies, community organizations, universities, disability service offices, Delta Gamma, healthcare professionals and volunteers to seek opportunities that will expand reach, enhance VR employment services and community programming and help develop revenue pipelines through service contracts, grant opportunities and sponsorships. Maintain tools for outcome measures and evaluation processes to capture data for outreach improvement and realign where necessary. Volunteer Coordination Engage, organize, sign up and provide orientation to volunteers to better support our BVI participants and families in community programs. Maintain tools for outcome measures and evaluation processes to capture data for volunteer engagement and realign where necessary. Support of EVRC Provide coverage to EVRC’s front desk as needed when required by Senior Manager. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, social work, psychology, or a relevant field. Core Skills Excellent communication skills. Excellent time management and organizational skills. Problem‑solving skills. Proficient in writing and documentation. Flexible regarding working hours. Experience Minimum of 3 years of related experience. Experience with a nonprofit preferred. Experience working with individuals who have disabilities is required. Knowledge & Skills Desire to learn and understand the needs of individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Demonstrated ability to train and/or teach skills and concepts to participants and team members. Demonstrated ability to support and motivate individuals in areas of advocacy and independence. Experience cultivating online communities using social media technologies and practices is a plus. Strong knowledge of accessibility solutions and systems for accessing specialized and mainstream/internet‑based products and services preferred. Effective working knowledge of business production software, including MS Office, MS Teams, Mail Chimp, etc. Effective oral and written communication skills. Self‑starter with demonstrated success in multitasking and collaborative environment. Experience in managing multiple projects and deadlines, with a definitive goal. Ability to critically evaluate situations and produce them for review and input by other team members. Experience working with TWC is a plus. Sound knowledge of different jobs and career paths. Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills. Excellent research, organizational and time‑management skills. Licenses & Certifications UNTWISE certification(s) to provide TWC VR employment services highly preferred. Must be able to obtain UNTWISE certification(s) within 90 days of employment. Must maintain a current First Aid/CPR certification. Benefits Careers with purpose. Teamwork environment. Amazing 401(k) retirement plan. Envision paid life insurance. Medical, dental, vision, FSA plans. 10 paid holidays. PTO & vacation. Tuition reimbursement. Vision Requirements Can be performed with or without assistive technology: preparing/analyzing data/figures; viewing a computer screen; reading; inspecting small objects for defects; using measuring devices; and/or assembling parts with close eye contact. Operating machinery and/or power tools at or within arm’s reach; performing non‑repetitive tasks such as carpentry work or repairing machinery. Review/inspect own assigned work, the work of others, or facilities or structures. Requires normal (or corrected to normal) vision/acuity for operating motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment such as forklifts. EEO Statement Envision, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Envision, Inc. employs and advances individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and does not discriminate on the basis of disability or veteran status in its hiring or employment practices. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position. #J-18808-Ljbffr Envision