Employment Specialist

Role Description

This job is a key team member of our expanded supported employment mission to provide a sense of purpose and community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This role is responsible for building a pipeline of business and clientele for employment services, performing as a job coach to new clients, and ensuring proper documentation and compliance.

Essential Duties

• New Business Development and Relationship Management (40%)
  • Identify, develop and maintain positive community and business relationships for the purpose of finding people gainful employment and advancement that provides a meaningful experience.
  • Identify and secure new clients to receive employment services through AbleLight.
  • Develop a pipeline of clients by forming strategic partnerships with School Districts to develop and implement pre-employment transition services.
  • Maintain positive and open lines of communication with employers/businesses to identify areas of success and opportunity.
  • Partner with employers to effectively remove employment barriers and resolve issues related to community integration and independence for people with disabilities.
  • Coordinate with School districts and Colleges to develop and promote pre-employment transition services, ultimately building a pipeline of clients.
  • Maintain cooperative working relationships with the vocational rehabilitation division and other funding and referral sources.
• Perform as a Job Coach for Clients (40%)
  • Responsible for a caseload of varying clients, providing full-cycle support including career counseling, evaluation, skills training/assessment, and job readiness training.
  • Be a creative problem solver based on the needs of the individuals and the job duties.
  • Participate as an active member of any team in developing and implementing person-centered employment-related goals and objectives, including an employment plan (IPE).
  • Conduct regular site visits/support to ensure quality of work at job site as well as client success/satisfaction.
  • Responsible for timely and thorough program/case documentation.
  • Follow licensing regulations, agency policies, best practices, and protection of individual rights.
  • Observe, evaluate, and record job performance to make recommendations concerning goals and objectives.
  • Break tasks down to achievable components.
  • Advocate for people receiving supports among community co-workers and assist individuals in advocating for themselves; promote inclusion in community work sites.
  • Transport individuals to job site if defined by contract.
• Ensure Compliance and Documentation (20%)
  • Assure monitoring and documentation of each client’s progress by developing and maintaining tracking and progress reports in a professional and timely manner.
  • Ensure timely placement of clients, meet retention goals, and ensure compliance with all employer contracts and billable hours requirements.
  • Responsible for ensuring compliance and proactively addressing any gaps.
• Talent & Administration (35%)
  • Function as a front-line resource for Employment Specialist colleagues, persons supported, or parents & guardians.
  • Bring recommendations forward related to quality and process improvements for our employees and those we serve.
  • Welcome, onboard, and train new colleagues and raise additional training and development needs for staff.
  • Ensure standard operating procedures are consistently implemented, including audits of individual support plans, monitoring medical supplies and prescriptions, and monthly facility audits.
  • Order food and supplies and allocate receipts to house and program financials.
  • Reconcile and enter personal funds records.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment always in the residence.
  • Maintain a master calendar of appointments, facility activities, and meetings for residence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or commensurate experience.
• Two years of relevant experience with 6 months of IDD experience; previous leadership experience preferred (project management, team/task lead, supervisor, etc.).
• Active Driver’s License required if role involves driving others or required by state regulations.

Requirements

• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Benefits

• Pay: $20.00 - $24.00

Company Description

Our Values – The “Way” We Work:

• Mission First - We exist to serve the developmental disabilities community.
• Excellence Always - We strive for excellence in all we do.
• Team Together - We are ONE team, all together, for our mission.