Employment Specialist

Position Summary The Employment Specialist / Job Coach provides individualized employment services to individuals with disabilities referred through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The position assists participants with preparing for, obtaining, maintaining, and advancing in competitive integrated employment based on their individual abilities, interests, employment goals, and support needs. The Employment Specialist works closely with participants, employers, VR counselors, family members, and other members of the participant's support team to promote successful employment outcomes and long-term job retention. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Conduct initial participant intakes and assess employment interests, strengths, skills, experience, transportation, availability, barriers, and support needs. Review the participant's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and ensure employment services are consistent with the VR-approved employment goal. Develop individualized employment plans and job-search strategies. Assist participants with resumes, applications, cover letters, interview preparation, and other pre-employment activities. Identify appropriate employment opportunities based on each participant's skills, interests, abilities, location, schedule, and employment goals. Conduct employer outreach and develop relationships with businesses to identify potential employment opportunities. Assist participants with completing online and in-person job applications. Coordinate and attend interviews when appropriate and provide interview preparation and follow-up. Advocate for participants with employers while encouraging participant independence and self-advocacy. Assist participants and employers with identifying and implementing reasonable workplace accommodations when needed. Provide on-site and off-site job coaching to help participants learn job duties, workplace expectations, communication skills, time management, attendance, and appropriate workplace behavior. Provide additional support to participants requiring Supported Employment services, including individualized job coaching and gradual fading of supports when appropriate. Coordinate On-the-Job Training (OJT), Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE), and other employment-related services when authorized. Maintain regular communication with employers to monitor job performance, attendance, workplace adjustment, and employment stability. Provide ongoing follow-up and retention services at required benchmark periods, including 30-, 60-, and 90-day follow-ups or other intervals required by VR. Assist participants experiencing employment difficulties and work with the participant and employer to resolve concerns before employment is jeopardized whenever possible. Maintain regular communication with VR counselors regarding participant progress, barriers, employment placement, retention, and significant changes. Complete accurate and timely case notes, progress reports, employment verification documents, benchmark reports, and other documentation required by VR and the agency. Maintain participant confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, agency policies, VR requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations. Travel to participant homes, employer locations, interviews, job sites, schools, and community locations as necessary. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, case conferences, employer outreach activities, job fairs, and community events. Perform other employment-service duties as assigned. Job Coaching Responsibilities The Job Coach provides direct support at the workplace when necessary to assist participants in becoming successful and increasingly independent employees. Services may include: Teaching job tasks through demonstration, modeling, repetition, and hands-on instruction. Helping participants understand employer expectations and workplace policies. Supporting development of appropriate workplace communication and interpersonal skills. Assisting with organization, scheduling, task completion, and time management. Identifying natural supports available within the workplace. Working collaboratively with supervisors while maintaining participant confidentiality. Monitoring progress and documenting job-coaching services. Gradually reducing direct coaching as the participant develops independence and stability. Qualifications Education/Experience: High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation, Education, Business, or a related field preferred. Experience working with individuals with disabilities, employment services, case management, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, or workforce development is strongly preferred. Skills: Strong communication, documentation, organization, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Must be comfortable communicating with participants, families, employers, VR counselors, and community partners. Ability to manage multiple participant cases and deadlines independently is essential. Additional Requirements: Reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout the assigned service area. Valid driver's license and appropriate automobile insurance when required. Ability to work a flexible schedule based on participant and employer needs. Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred when serving multilingual communities. Key Competencies The successful Employment Specialist / Job Coach should demonstrate compassion, professionalism, patience, reliability, confidentiality, cultural awareness, strong advocacy skills, employer-relations skills, and the ability to encourage participant independence while providing the appropriate level of support. Primary Goal of the Position: To help VR participants obtain meaningful competitive integrated employment, successfully adjust to their workplace, develop greater independence, and maintain long-term employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Assisted Employment Services, Inc