Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist will screen and assess incoming referrals, develop and maintain positive, professional partnerships with local businesses in order to promote employment opportunities for program participants. This position will provide classroom education and community-based work experiences and evaluations and job coaching supports to individuals in a work environment. The Employment Specialist must be familiar with supports to include advocacy; training in soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving skills, work ethic, grooming/hygiene, response to supervision, etc., retention services to provide ongoing work supports, goal planning, treatment team interaction, establishment and cultivation of natural supports at the work site and interactions with funding sources and employers.

Core Responsibilities

• Screening and assessment Completion of intake/screening; complete discovery phase; vocational goal planning.
• Provide soft and hard skill training and assessment via Employment Center, classroom and/or community based experiences.
• Job development/placement:
  • Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with local businesses to build a strong base of potential employers.
  • Develop and maintain effective communication with program participants, families, referents and treatment team providers.
  • Provide job placement services such as career counseling, assistance with applications, interview skill building and presentation of work incentives.
• Job coaching:
  • Skill training, training is soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving skills, work ethic, grooming/hygiene, response to supervision, etc.
  • Coaching services are usually at the worksite, occasionally provided off-site.
• Retention/follow-along services:
  • Provide ongoing advocacy and support to ensure long-term job retention and to facilitate career growth.
• Documentation:
  • Provide accurate, detailed, and timely documentation of supports.
  • Ensure compliance with all pertinent government and agency regulations and operating standards.
  • Responsible to complete periodic peer reviews of program participant records.
• Attend treatment team meetings, participate in community meetings and trainings as applicable.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree required. A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Rehab Counseling or other related field preferred.
• At least two (2) years' experience in employment and/or sales or customer service.
• Innovations and SETI certification is required but may be obtained on the job.
• Must complete and be current in Office of Mental Health (OMH) required trainings to provide onsite services in their facilities.
• Travel is required. Must have a valid NYS Driver's License.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• This position requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and collaboration with ACCES-VR, OPWDD and OMH is essential.

Benefits

Our work environment provides the opportunity to grow and learn in a fast-paced atmosphere. We offer competitive benefits and salary to include a low-cost individual health insurance plan, dollar for dollar retirement match (up to 7%), life insurance, voluntary benefits and generous paid time off.

• Comprehensive Health/Dental/Vision
• Direct Deposit
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous PTO Plans (Sick, Vacation and Employee Leave)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards
• Employee Appreciation Events
• Employee Discounts

Upstate Caring Partners is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs in Central New York for individuals of all abilities and their families. If you believe in empowering people, Upstate Caring Partners is an excellent place to start or grow your career.