Employment Specialist
Listed on 2026-07-20
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Social Work
Life Skills Coach/Career Advisor, Human Services/ Social Work, Community Support Services
Description
If you are looking to make an impact through a meaningful and rewarding career, we are currently seeking talented, creative, and committed people who share our values of Challenging the Status Quo, Building Community, Creating Purpose, and Ensuring Inclusion by fostering individuals’ development, well‑being, and growth.
Benefits- Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
- Generous PTO
- 401k
- Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
The Employment Specialist serves as a dedicated advocate and subject matter expert for individuals with disabilities navigating their employment journey. This role provides comprehensive, person‑centered support across the full employment continuum—from initial intake and career planning through job development, on‑the‑job training, benefits navigation, and long‑term work‑life sustainability. Operating as an active member of an integrated, multidisciplinary team, the Employment Specialist collaborates with clinicians, vocational rehabilitation counselors, case managers, social workers, and other support providers to ensure each job seeker receives coordinated, holistic services designed to help them obtain, maintain, and advance in meaningful employment.
Key Responsibilities- Conduct comprehensive intake assessments to identify job seeker strengths, interests, goals, and barriers to employment.
- Develop individualized employment and career plans aligned with each person's unique abilities, aspirations, and support needs.
- Regularly review and update career plans in collaboration with the job seeker and multidisciplinary team.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services, progress notes, and outcome data.
- Actively network with local businesses, employers, and industry partners to identify and create competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
- Promote the skills and contributions of the candidate pool to prospective employers, building awareness of available job seeker supports.
- Develop and maintain strong employer relationships through ongoing communication, workplace consultation, and follow‑along support.
- Represent the organization at community events, job fairs, chamber meetings, and business networking forums.
- Negotiate job carving, customized employment arrangements, and reasonable accommodations as appropriate.
- Provide on‑site job coaching and skills training to support successful job performance and workplace integration.
- Facilitate natural supports and co‑worker mentoring to reduce reliance on direct staff intervention over time.
- Transport individuals to and from job sites, interviews, and work‑related appointments as needed.
- Monitor job retention and proactively address challenges to support long‑term employment success.
- Serve as the team's subject matter expert on Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, including SSI, SSDI, Ticket to Work, Plans to Achieve Self‑Support (PASS), and related work incentives.
- Educate job seekers on how employment and wages may impact their benefits, enabling informed decision‑making.
- Connect individuals with certified Benefits Counselors and other specialized resources for complex benefits planning.
- Stay current with SSA policy changes and communicate relevant updates to the team and job seekers.
- Identify and address barriers to employment including, but not limited to, transportation, childcare, professional attire, interview confidence, and housing instability.
- Connect job seekers to community resources, financial assistance programs, and wrap‑around supports that promote stability and work readiness.
- Provide coaching and skill‑building in areas such as workplace communication, time management, and professional conduct.
- Support individuals in building self‑advocacy skills to independently navigate their employment journey over time.
- Function as the employment services subject matter expert within an integrated team of clinicians, VR counselors, case managers, and social workers.
- Participate actively in team…
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