Employment Specialist

Position Summary

The Employment Specialist assists individuals with disabilities to secure and maintain competitive employment. This position involves a combination of job development, placement, and ongoing support services tailored to each individual's needs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Job Development and Placement - identify and pursue employment opportunities that align with the person's skills and interests including conducting job searches, preparing for interviews, facilitating job placements, including career development, work readiness skills and overall job discovery.
• Complete pre-employment and employment assessments with individuals.

• Job Coaching and Support - provide on-the-job training and continuous support to ensure people adapt successfully to their work environments. This may involve direct assistance at the workplace and regular follow-up for job retention.
• Employer Relations - develop and maintain positive relationships with employers to promote inclusive hiring practices and secure job placements. This includes clarifying job duties, providing safety information, and facilitating communication between the employee and their employer; act as liaison between employers, individuals, businesses, families and other support staff.
• Benefits - have a general knowledge about how earned income from employment may affect an individual's benefits, such as SSI or Medicaid, and provide guidance on reporting earnings.
• Documentation and Reporting - complete timely and accurate documentation while maintaining accurate records of services provided, including case notes, reports, and other required documentation to ensure compliance with OPWDD and ACCES-VR standards.

• Provide support and services including but not limited to, job discovery, job training, job mentoring, and professional skills development in an individualized and/or group setting.
• Provide occasional transportation with individual to assessment/work site.
• Present a professional image to the business community at all times.
• Knowledge of all employment services provided by Springbrook.
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• Minimum: A bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Experience in providing services to individuals with disabilities is preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively with clients, families, and employers.
• Proficiency in computer software and e-mail applications.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. independently and assist in lifting weights exceeding 50 lbs.
• Meet the requirements to drive Springbrook vehicles as required.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and have a reliable access to transportation.
• Must be able to work varied hours to meet the needs of the individuals on caseload.

Springbrook is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Springbrook to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, age, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, traits historically associated with race and/or any other status or characteristic protected by law.