Employment Specialist

Lanakila Pacific is a family of programs and services designed to help people with cognitive, physical, social, or age‑related challenges, build independence and improve their quality of life. Disability services include programs and initiatives for mission advancement that are funded through multiple contracts with the Hawaii State Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and private sources.

Disability services collaborate with LP social enterprises and LP senior services with an emphasis on employment placement and training, a core service of the agency.

The Employment Specialist I is responsible for providing career planning, job readiness training, service coordination, employment opportunity development, program admissions, and assessments which promote a vocational and employment-oriented philosophy for individuals with disabilities seeking community-based services, and employment. Empowering individuals to reach their career goals by developing technical and soft skills and accessing community-based resources and work opportunities is the primary role of this position.

The Employment Specialist I supports the mission, vision, and values of the organization, and upholds and enforces the guidelines and policies of the organization, demonstrates Lanakila Pacific’s values of teamwork, excellence, achievement, motivation and Lanakila Pacific in all personal interactions with others and exemplifies Lanakila Pacific’s STAR service standards.

• Develop employment plans that fit the individual’s aptitudes, education level, physical abilities, interests, priorities, and career goals.
• Assist participants in obtaining competitive employment.
• Provide education and support in exploring and accessing community services, assistive technology and equipment, communication/interpersonal skills and socialization, community mobility, financial management, health and wellness, home management, safety/emergency skills, and vocational adjustment.
• Lead group classes to develop participant career awareness and “employability” skills needed to gain and maintain employment.
• Conduct telehealth classes on various online videoconferencing platforms, such as MS Teams, Zoom, Google Meets, and Web Ex.
• Provide ongoing support to participants and their employers including the identification of problem areas and provide recommendations.
• Participate in resolving workplace behavioral issues with participants and their circle of support including but not limited to case manager, family, and workplace supervisor.
• Responsible for the admission and transition process into employment services which includes communication with referral sources; coordination of internal and external services; and leading and conducting intake meetings.
• Identify and support participants in various technical training programs and provide coaching as needed.
• Perform job coaching duties as needed.
• Participate in the interviewing, selecting, training and development of job coaches.
• Provides ongoing training to job coaches as needed or required, and new hire training.
• Communicates effectively with all clients, programs/departments, and staff, both orally and in writing; can read and understand written material and can write effectively to meet the job requirements.
• Promote and model continuous learning and professional development on topics that relate to adults with disabilities.
• Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
• Demonstrates cultural competency and the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and cognitive abilities without bias.
• Serves as a role model for the staff, participants, and volunteers and as a member of the leadership team works to create a healthful and respectful environment.
• Ensures all safety procedures and practices are followed and…