Community Employment Specialist - Team Leader

Community Employment Support Professional – Team Leader This is a full‑time position, 40+ hours a week. Reporting Reports directly to the Quality Assurance & Safety Specialist. Role Overview Responsible for the completion of Community Employment–related duties, including Career Exploration, Job Development, Job Shadows, Job Coaching, and Workplace Readiness Assessments. Acts as Team Leader for all staff in the Community Employment Department. Job Duties and Responsibilities Career Exploration Provide Career Exploration activities to individuals of all ages receiving services. Meet with individuals and families/guardians to introduce supported employment and explore employment goals. Work with individuals to develop a formalized career plan using discovery techniques, business tours, job shadowing, informational interviews, work site assessments, and other job exploration activities. Develop soft skills such as interviewing, mock interviews, coworker relations, supervisor communication, and customer service. Explore financial literacy topics with individuals. Document daily performance, maintain charts and reports accurately, and submit data to supervisor as requested. Build relationships with local businesses and industry to offer career options; employers must allow Nishna Productions, Inc. staff and clients into their business for observation and interaction. Manage transportation for individuals receiving Career Exploration services as needed. Job Development Implement marketing strategies for Community-Based Employment services. Complete job development based on inclusion, commensurate wages, benefits, consumer choice, and employer needs. Maintain regular contact with community employers. Oversee completion of all placement forms and documentation of ongoing performance. Make arrangements for job coaching for individuals placed. Collaborate with agency Program Coordinators or outside professionals—Community Case Managers, IVRS Counselors, School Personnel—to coordinate other required services. Act as liaison with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Medicaid Case Managers, HHS Social Workers, and local school systems; coordinate referrals. Maintain all records and documentation using proper forms in line with established procedures and accreditation standards. Coordinate with Community-Based Employment staff to ensure placement completion and associated duties. Maintain CARF accreditation. Workplace Readiness Assessment (WRA) Asses individuals participating in Workplace Readiness Assessment as requested. Develop job exploration, job shadowing, and on‑site assessment sites where individuals wish to work or receive training. Provide 100% supervision and support during on‑site assessments; complete timesheets with wage for payment through NPI. Complete all forms required for the Workplace Readiness Assessment. Prepare a final report summarizing assessment results and recommended supports for success in community employment or further training. Conduct exit staffing. Complete Case Activity Logs documenting activities with the individual. Complete all required paperwork for each service. Maintain CARF accreditation. Job Coaching Provide direct training and support to individuals on community job sites. Implement goals, objectives, and methods for achieving them; conduct instructional activities aligned with individual objectives. Document daily performance; keep charts and reports accurate; submit data to supervisor. Attend and participate in staff meetings. Arrange transportation to and from job sites at placement start when requested. Learn tasks of community job sites to train individuals; provide ongoing support and follow‑up as needed. Communicate with supervisor about behavior intervention data. Integrate the individual with coworkers; model appropriate interactions. Assist employers in resolving employment problems and encourage direct communication with the individual. Collaborate with employers to complete regular performance evaluations. Handle additional duties assigned by the Executive Director or the Quality Assurance and Safety Specialist within specified time frames. Advocate for employees, employers, coworkers, and customers. Community Employment Implement marketing strategies for Community-Based Employment services. Carry out job development based on inclusion, wages, hours, benefits, consumer choice, and employer needs. Maintain regular contact with community employers. Arrange job coaching for placed individuals. Coordinate with agency Program Coordinators or outside professionals—Community Care Managers, IVRS Counselors, School Personnel—to meet other service needs. Act as liaison with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Medicaid Community Care Coordinators, DHS Social Workers, and local school systems to coordinate referrals. Coordinate with other Community-Based Employment staff to ensure placement completion and associated duties. Maintain CARF accreditation. Other Duties and Job Responsibilities Provide direction and supervision to all Community Employment Services staff; complete performance evaluations; hire and terminate staff. Assist with marketing and public relations activities for the agency. Participate in scheduling and planning meetings for enrollment in all community‑employment related services; complete intake paperwork for all referrals; coordinate service delivery directly or provide services. Ensure funding approvals are in place prior to initiating services; be familiar with varied funding sources. Perform all other duties assigned by the Executive Director or Quality Assurance and Safety Specialist. Track client wages and hours quarterly using a spreadsheet. Track monthly completion of drills using a spreadsheet. Prepare Employment reports when requested by MCOs. Prepare IVRS reports when requested. Audit all Community Employment staff daily. Bill monthly for clients receiving IVRS funding and forward to billing department. Complete Quality Indicators bi‑annually or when requested. Essential Functions Nishna Productions, Inc. serves people with disabilities who may exhibit behavioral disorders, including aggressive outbursts. Employees must be willing to work with and train individuals who display verbal and/or physical aggression. Provide quality services, meeting agency standards, under the IVRS Menu of Services—primarily Career Exploration, Job Development, Job Shadows, Job Coaching, Workplace Readiness Assessments, and performance and behavior training. Create a supportive and therapeutic environment for all individuals receiving services. Demonstrate competent verbal and written communication skills. Be able to drive between locations. Represent the agency professionally in the community. Advocate for individuals with disabilities to employers. Market agency services to the community. Be willing to work required hours, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Develop leadership and supervisory skills to supervise the department. Complete all required paperwork. Provide job coaching on community job sites. Complete certification training required by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Use electronic documentation efficiently. Comply with state and federal HIPAA regulations regarding PHI of individuals served. Maintain clearance levels appropriate to access PHI—levels one through six as defined; temporary clearance granted for additional duties when needed. Qualifications/Requirements Bachelor’s degree in human services, marketing, or equivalent experience. Preferably five (5) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. Prefer previous supervisory experience. Maintain insurability with agency vehicle insurance carrier. Possess leadership skills. Willing to work with individuals who have behavioral disorders, including physical aggression. Will work effectively as part of a team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Obtain and maintain a valid Iowa chauffeur’s license and a clean driving record. Use good judgment in immediate decision‑making situations involving staff or service recipients. Have no convictions of assault, abuse, or bodily injury. Exhibit a professional and personal image and attitude representing the agency. Participate in agency investigations; confidentiality will be respected. High human relations skills—ability to interact effectively with people and the public. Work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and early mornings. Show compassion and understanding toward individuals with disabilities. Be organized and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines for community employment services. Observe keenly for task analysis and vocational assessments. Successfully complete the state‑required CESP exam and maintain certification as a Certified Employment Support Professional. Must not have a serious communicable disease, such as tuberculosis, as determined by medical authorities. Physical Requirements Travel up to 70 miles between locations. Enter and exit facilities that may not be fully accessible. Carry necessary paper and supplies for job functions. Provide physical care to individuals during job coaching duties. Assist individuals to regain balance or transfer between sitting, standing, or prone positions. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nishna Productions Inc