Vocational Specialist

Vocational Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (include the following. Other duties may be assigned.)

1. Provides vocational training, supports, and assessments for individuals who have a future goal of working in a community.


2. Initiates and maintains ongoing relationships with area businesses, sets up community based vocational assessment sites and volunteer opportunities.


3. Assists individuals during community experiences, including volunteer opportunities, paid or unpaid internships and worksite visits. This could include job coaching.

4. Provides information about available services, programs, and vocational opportunities to individuals, family members and other support providers.


5. Reviews potential barriers to community employment with individuals and create plans for ways to overcome barriers. This includes working with the Plan Writer to develop individual's plans.


6. Supports individuals in developing resumes, practicing interviewing skills and provides instruction and teaching of tasks necessary to obtain employment. This could include instruction in the appropriate use of job-related facilities such as lunchrooms, cafeterias, and restrooms.


7. Provides travel training designed to teach individuals how to travel safely and independently using public transportation.


8. Provides education and counseling around benefits management, stress management, social skill development and interpersonal skill development.


9. Completes all paperwork for service documentation and billing in accordance with OPWDD regulations and agency policies. Maintains record keeping systems for program participants.

10. Attends meetings for individuals as well as participates in required departmental meetings, special projects, and in-services or other trainings.

11. Provides transportation to and from vocational experiences in the community.


12. Maintains and assures security of all confidential files and information on individuals receiving services, provides documentation in accordance with State and Federal regulations.


13. Plans and conducts job readiness classes and job club activities.

14. Informs the Assistant Director or Director of Employment Services of concerns with placements, business relationships, accidents/incidents, or sensitive situations pertaining to individuals receiving services.


15. This position requires a two week notice of voluntary resignation.


III. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

IV. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


1. Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Changes approach/method to best fit the situation.
2. Attendance/Punctuality - At work and on time. Ensures responsibilities are covered when absent.
3. Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional situations; Responds promptly to needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for assistance; Meets commitments.
4. Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
5. Design - Demonstrates attention to detail.
6. Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Promotes a harassment-free environment.
7. Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
8. Flexibility - Perform work on multiple concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions.
9. Initiative - Seeks increased responsibilities; Asks for and offers help when needed. Prioritizes tasks to meet agency needs
10. Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work.
11. Interpersonal Skills - Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
12. Judgment - Exhibits sound judgment. Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
13. Motivation - Measures self against standard of excellence. Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
14. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
15. Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values.
16. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Organizes schedules.
17. Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Works well in team problemsolving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
18. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
19. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
20. Quantity - Completes work in timely manner.
21. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
22. Teamwork - Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
23. Technical Skills -Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
24. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively. Able to read and interpret written information.


EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from an accredited University / College in a human services field and one year of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.


REASONING SKILLS
Sound decision making and judgment, interpersonal skills, planning/organizing, strategic thinking and time management. The ability to work independently in multiple settings. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, individuals receiving services, employers and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar or line graphs.

COMPUTER SKILLS
Must be knowledgeable about Internet software, Microsoft Office components including Word, Office, Excel and PowerPoint. Become trained in the use of Therap for plan writing, event reporting and ongoing communication. Become trained in the use of New York Employment Services System (NYESS).


CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must possess a valid NYS driver's license and an acceptable driving record. Successful completion of all required agency/state/federal training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


1. Physically able to bend/stoop, squat, push/pull, reach above/below shoulder level frequently.

2. Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, walk and stand.
3. Talk or hear both in person and by telephone.
4. Must be able to independently lift and/or transfer, push or pull up to 50 lbs. No lifting restrictions.
5. Must have adequate vision, speaking and hearing ability, with or without correction, to be constantly aware of, detect, and able to respond to each individual's needs when not in immediate vicinity.
6. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
7. Use hands respectively to finger, handle, feel or operate office equipment.
8. Ability to ambulate; reach with hands and arms
9. Ability to operate a computer and software programs.

V. EXPECTATIONS

1. Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
2. Maintain acceptable attendance and punctuality in accordance with The Arc Otsego's standards.
3. Adhere to all policies and practices in place at The Arc Otsego.

VI. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Works with household cleaning solutions.
2. Regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.
3. The employee is regularly exposed to dusty conditions.
4. The employee is regularly exposed to varying temperature levels.
5. The employee is regularly exposed to high noise environments.
6. Work may be performed indoors and/or outdoors depending on employment needs.
7. Works with electric/hydraulic/manual lift/ramp equipment, and office equipment.
8. Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment at all times.
9. Responsibilities occasionally may require an adjusted work schedule including overtime.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Reasonable accommodations will be made in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADAAA of 2008.


Occupational Safety and Health Act: Exposed to human body fluids, airborne agents, household chemicals. May be exposed to contagious diseases.


The rate of pay for this position is an annual salary of $38,480 based on $18.50/ hour.