Employment Specialist Transitional Services

Position Overview:

The Employment Specialist provides pre-employment transition services to students and young adults with disabilities, ages 14 through 21. The position delivers individual and group instruction in job exploration, workplace readiness, self-advocacy, postsecondary education and training pathways, and work-based learning. The Youth Employment Specialist also develops relationships with schools, employers, and community partners to create meaningful career-exploration and work-based learning opportunities. Services are provided in person and virtually and are generally scheduled outside regular school hours, including afternoons, evenings, school vacation weeks, and summer programming.

• Deliver classroom-based, virtual, and community-based pre-employment transition services to students and young adults with disabilities, ages 14 through 21.
• Facilitate structured curriculum, workshops, career camps, and individual or group training sessions focused on:
  • Job exploration and career awareness
  • Workplace readiness and employability skills
  • Self-advocacy and self-determination
  • Postsecondary education and training opportunities
  • Work-based learning experiences
• Plan and facilitate Youth Career Camps and other extended training programs, which may include providing classroom instruction for up to five hours per day.
• Adapt instructional approaches and materials to meet participants’ individual learning styles, abilities, communication needs, and employment goals.
• Help participants identify their interests, strengths, support needs, career goals, and potential education or training pathways.
• Assist participants with developing practical employment skills, including resume preparation, interviewing, job-search techniques, workplace communication, professional behavior, time management, and requesting workplace accommodations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, employers, community organizations, workforce partners, and other referral sources serving young people with disabilities.
• Identify and coordinate work-based learning opportunities, including workplace tours, job shadowing, informational interviews, internships, and other career-exploration experiences.
• Collaborate with school personnel, families, referral partners, employers, and other members of a participant’s support team, as appropriate and consistent with confidentiality requirements.
• Provide services in schools, MOC locations, community settings, employer locations, and virtual environments.
• Use Microsoft Teams and other technology platforms to facilitate virtual instruction, communicate with participants and partners, and complete required administrative responsibilities.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate participant records, attendance information, case notes, service documentation, outcome data, and other program records in accordance with contractual, funding, and organizational requirements.
• Monitor participant progress, document services and outcomes, and communicate concerns or needed adjustments to appropriate program leadership and referral partners.
• Conduct outreach and follow-up with participants who miss services or appear to disengage from the program.
• Protect participant confidentiality and comply with applicable MOC policies, program standards, and funder requirements.
• Participate in program planning, curriculum development, staff meetings, training, quality-assurance activities, and continuous program improvement.
• Maintain a flexible schedule to provide services outside the traditional workday, including afternoons, evenings, school vacation weeks, and summer programming.

• Education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in workforce training & development, social services, or business
• Experience working with people with barriers to employment, experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred
• The ability to work as an effective team player is essential
• Experience with MS Teams
• Must be eligible to work in the United States

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a…