Community Integrated Employment Specialist

Who We Are

At Sertoma Star Services, we're on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve over 2,000 consumers through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs.

Employment Services

Full-time

As the Community Integrated Employment Specialist, you will work closely with individuals to identify their interests, strengths, and goals, then develop tailored job‑development and readiness plans. You’ll conduct ongoing assessments, lead discovery and training activities, and provide hands‑on support in both office and community settings to help consumers secure and maintain meaningful employment. You’ll document progress in HSMS, educate and protect consumer rights and collaborate with families, providers, and team members to deliver person‑centered services.

• Communicates well with consumers, using their preferred form of communication, to determine their likes, interests, strengths, wants, and needs.
• Treats consumers with dignity and respect, while providing them with the support needed to become as independent as possible.
• Completes ongoing assessments to understand consumer’s wants and needs to support community integrated employment.
• Utilizes assessment information to support consumers to participate in discovery activities and skill development based on their employment wants and needs.
• Provides support and supervision to consumers during employment readiness training and discovery activities.
• Develops job development plans based on assessment and discovery activities to help support consumers to obtain community integrated employment.
• Advocates for consumers wants and needs and helps them advocate for themselves, as requested.
• Protects the rights of consumers by understanding their rights, educating them on their rights, and ensuring their rights are not violated.
• Documents all supports provided in a timely manner to include, but not limited to, daily progress notes, incident reports, injury/illness reports, daily attendance, etc. utilizing the Human Services Management System (HSMS).
• Works cooperatively with all staff, outside providers, and family members/guardians to ensure high quality services.
• Transports consumers to and from CDS programs and into the community when needed.
• Follows all agency Policies and Procedures.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work with coworkers and consumers.
• Knowledge of working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• High School Diploma preferred.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and meet agency driving requirements when required to provide transportation.

• Generous paid time off.
• 13 Paid holidays.
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans.
• Employer Paid Insurance:
  Basic Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 403(b) with company match.
• Tuition assistance.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.

Sertoma Star is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. Sertoma understands that in order for you to work effectively and be an advocate of inclusivity, we must foster an environment that is respectful and sensitive to persons of all gender identities and from every cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial background. Our open-door, team-building concept supports both agency goals and employee success.