Employment Specialist

Employment SpecialistHatfield, MA. Full-time / Monday-Friday $23.00 to $25.00 per hourThe ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, empathetic, passionate about helping people find purpose and direction, professional, and able to work independently. This position requires managing one's own schedule and involves travel throughout Western Massachusetts. The ideal candidate is excited about supporting people in setting career goals and overcoming barriers, enjoys teaching skills like interview preparation and resume writing, is comfortable soliciting and developing job opportunities, and is willing to provide coaching in a variety of work settings as needed. As a member of ServiceNet's Comprehensive Career Services (CCS) team, the Employment Specialist delivers MassAbility-funded employment services and supports ServiceNet's role as a Social Security Ticket to Work Employment Network (EN) — helping job seekers move toward, secure, and sustain competitive, integrated employment.ResponsibilitiesAssesses each job seeker's vocational functioning using background information, work history, interests, and strengths.Develops individualized Placement Plans and Coaching Plans aligned to the job seeker's employment goals, including agreed-upon hours, wages, and benefits.Conducts job development and job search activities individualized to each job seeker's preferences, cultivating and maintaining relationships with area employers.Provides job coaching and long-term follow-along supports that help job seekers stabilize and retain employment through the 90-day successful-closure milestone and beyond.Maintains a Career Portfolio for each job seeker documenting progress, experiences, and outcomes.Collaborates with the MassAbility Counselor, BRU/Job Placement Specialist, DDS service coordinators, and other members of the job seeker's team, adjusting service intensity to each person's needs.Ticket to Work / Employment NetworkSupports ServiceNet's role as a Social Security Ticket to Work Employment Network by helping eligible SSI/SSDI beneficiaries assign their Ticket and complete an Individual Work Plan (IWP).Helps job seekers understand Social Security Work Incentives (e.g., Trial Work Period, Ticket protections) and how earnings affect SSI/SSDI and health coverage, coordinating with benefits planning services as needed.Supports participants toward Ticket to Work milestone and outcome benchmarks, including sustaining earnings at or above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) where that is the individual's goal.Assists job seekers in accurately reporting earnings to Social Security to help avoid overpayments.Completes timely, accurate documentation and data entry through the secure Ticket Portal and other prescribed systems, handling all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in compliance with SSA and HIPAA requirements.Coordinates Partnership Plus referrals with state vocational rehabilitation, and participates in employer-outreach efforts across ServiceNet's community partners and social enterprises, where appropriate.Benefits Planning and Wrap-Around Services SupportCollaborates with local benefits planning services to help job seekers obtain information about their entitlements (SSI, SSDI, health insurance, etc.) and how these are affected by employment, so they can make financially informed decisions.Coordinates with the other supports a job seeker uses to provide individualized wrap-around and follow-along services, following the job seeker's preferences.With permission, communicates with family members and involved supports to gather input about the job seeker's skills, interests, strengths, and support needs.Participates in Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) or other clinical team meetings to coordinate and integrate employment services when applicable.Employs trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approaches and skills-training techniques in the work.Provides thorough, thoughtful, and timely documentation and data collection for all job seekers using prescribed forms and practice.Submits all billing and corresponding documentation complete and on time.Participates in supervision, peer counseling, and regional Employment Collaborative / Job Developer Network meetings for ongoing professional development.Assists job seekers in accessing assistive technology and adaptive equipment to enhance their employment skills.QualificationsCandidates skilled in speaking American Sign Language are strongly encouraged to apply.A college degree is preferred but experience working with disabled populations in a vocational setting or success in sales and marketing will be considered.Ability to work well with diverse populations in diverse settings that build trust and support increased collaboration.Skilled in developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.Active listening, verbal & written comprehension, critical thinking and problem-solving are required skills.Travel is required; candidate requires a valid driver's license, driving experience and operable vehicle.Open to change and variety in the workplace while being sensitive to others' needs and feelingsReliable, honest, avoids unethical behavior, and maintains confidentialityAbility to exercise discretion in handling confidential informationAbility to learn the principles & practices of assisting people with physical and/or mental disabilities to meet their vocational, social, and independent living needs, including evaluation, monitoring, testing & training, methods & techniques of determining individual interests, aptitudes, skills, and occupational preferencesKnowledge of Social Security Work Incentives and disability benefits is a plus (training provided).A criminal background check will be completedBenefits and Pay$23.00 to $25.00 per hour.Generous time-off package.Comprehensive, health and dental insurance plans.403(B)-retirement plan, with employer matching.Long-term disability benefits; paid life insuranceAdvancement opportunities, tuition assistance, and several more benefit options.