Employment and Community Engagement Specialist

About the Job

Description

Working at Envision means having a job that's more than just a way to make money. It's a job that makes a difference.

We offer team members:

• Careers with purpose.
• Teamwork environment.
• Amazing 401K Retirement Plan.
• Envision Paid Life Insurance.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA Plans.
• 10 Paid Holidays.
• PTO & Vacation.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Employment and Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for efficiently managing and executing Envision Dallas' employment and community program offerings. 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. Additionally, the specialist gathers user feedback to improve program experiences, defines requirements, and implements policies ensuring alignment with Envision's mission and core values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS FOR 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 fellow 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.
• Identifying clients' strengths and advising them on how to use those strengths to secure employment or excel in their chosen career path.
• Providing 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.
• Conducting tests to assess clients' job skills and abilities and providing feedback on test results.
• Reviewing clients' resumes and suggesting improvements as needed.
• Liaising 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.
• Maintaining 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, realigning where necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS SERVICES FOR 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 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, realigning where necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS SERVICES FOR 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 in general to seek opportunities that will expand reach, enhance VR employment services and community programming and help develop revenue pipelines through service contracts and grant opportunities and sponsorships.
• Maintain tools for outcome measures and evaluation processes to capture data for outreach improvement, realigning where necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS SERVICES FOR 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, realigning where necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS SERVICES FOR SUPPORT OF ENVISION VISION REHABILITATION CENTER (EVRC):

• Provide coverage to EVRC's front desk as needed when required by Senior Manager.

Qualifications:

JOB REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Social Work, Psychology, or a relevant field.

• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Proficient in writing and documentation.
• Flexible when it comes to working hours

The ideal candidate for this position is one who is outgoing, driven, and enjoys helping individuals with disabilities. This position requires talking to potential employers about their hiring needs and being able to secure interviews and placements for the individuals on their caseload. A successful Employment and Community Engagement Specialist is great at building relationships with employers and community stakeholders to include volunteers.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years' related experience.
• Experience with a non profit preferred.
• Experience with working 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/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 (as a user, not a developer) 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 & written communication skills.
• Self starter with demonstrated success in multi tasking 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 skill.

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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Total Number of Employees Directly Supervising:0

Number of Subordinate Supervisors Reporting to Position : 0

VISION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Can be performed with or without assistive technology:

• Required to perform activities such as: 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.
• Required to perform activities such as: operating machinery and/or power tools at or within arm's reach; performing non-repetitive tasks such as carpentry work or repairing machinery.
• Required to review/inspect own assigned work, the work of others, or facilities or structures.

Requires normal (or corrected to normal) vision/acuity:

• Required to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment such as forklifts.

"To improve the quality of life and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research."

• Integrity.
• Curiosity.
• Passion.
• Initiative.
• Teamwork.
• Excellence.

COMMENTS:

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 in employment 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.