Community Employment Specialist - Team Leader

Community Employment Support Professional – Team Leader

This is a full‑time position, 40+ hours a week.

Reporting

Reports directly to the Quality Assurance & Safety Specialist.

Role Overview

Responsible for the completion of Community Employment–related duties, including Career Exploration, Job Development, Job Shadows, Job Coaching, and Workplace Readiness Assessments. Acts as Team Leader for all staff in the Community Employment Department.

• Provide Career Exploration activities to individuals of all ages receiving services.
• Meet with individuals and families/guardians to introduce supported employment and explore employment goals.
• Work with individuals to develop a formalized career plan using discovery techniques, business tours, job shadowing, informational interviews, work site assessments, and other job exploration activities.
• Develop soft skills such as interviewing, mock interviews, coworker relations, supervisor communication, and customer service.
• Explore financial literacy topics with individuals.
• Document daily performance, maintain charts and reports accurately, and submit data to supervisor as requested.
• Build relationships with local businesses and industry to offer career options; employers must allow Nishna Productions, Inc. staff and clients into their business for observation and interaction.
• Manage transportation for individuals receiving Career Exploration services as needed.

• Implement marketing strategies for Community-Based Employment services.
• Complete job development based on inclusion, commensurate wages, benefits, consumer choice, and employer needs.
• Maintain regular contact with community employers.
• Oversee completion of all placement forms and documentation of ongoing performance.
• Make arrangements for job coaching for individuals placed.
• Collaborate with agency Program Coordinators or outside professionals—Community Case Managers, IVRS Counselors, School Personnel—to coordinate other required services.
• Act as liaison with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Medicaid Case Managers, HHS Social Workers, and local school systems; coordinate referrals.
• Maintain all records and documentation using proper forms in line with established procedures and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate with Community-Based Employment staff to ensure placement completion and associated duties.
• Maintain CARF accreditation.

• Asses individuals participating in Workplace Readiness Assessment as requested.
• Develop job exploration, job shadowing, and on‑site assessment sites where individuals wish to work or receive training.
• Provide 100% supervision and support during on‑site assessments; complete timesheets with wage for payment through NPI.
• Complete all forms required for the Workplace Readiness Assessment.
• Prepare a final report summarizing assessment results and recommended supports for success in community employment or further training.
• Conduct exit staffing.
• Complete Case Activity Logs documenting activities with the individual.
• Complete all required paperwork for each service.
• Maintain CARF accreditation.

• Provide direct training and support to individuals on community job sites.
• Implement goals, objectives, and methods for achieving them; conduct instructional activities aligned with individual objectives.
• Document daily performance; keep charts and reports accurate; submit data to supervisor.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Arrange transportation to and from job sites at placement start when requested.
• Learn tasks of community job sites to train individuals; provide ongoing support and follow‑up as needed.
• Communicate with supervisor about behavior intervention data.
• Integrate the individual with coworkers; model appropriate interactions.
• Assist employers in resolving employment problems and encourage direct communication with the individual.
• Collaborate with employers to complete regular performance evaluations.
• Handle additional duties assigned by the Executive Director or the Quality Assurance and Safety Specialist within specified time frames.
• Advocate for employees, employers, coworkers, and…