Employment Specialist

Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities.

As an Employment Specialist in Southern California, you can create real and lasting change for those who have faced barriers to employment. For job seekers, you are the guide on their journey of career exploration and development. You have the unique capability to empower individuals in their search for meaningful employment.

Position: Employment Specialist I
Location: Hybrid position - requires travel when needed - must have reliable transportation and a clean DMV record
Hours: Full-time – Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (37.5 hours per week)
Hourly pay range: $22.1154 - $26.6827

You understand the individual needs of each job seeker and craft custom journeys explicitly tailored to them. You will help them showcase their strengths, overcome barriers, keep them moving through the interview process, and provide support during their first ninety days of work. You will serve as a liaison, diplomat, coach, and mentor to build the job seeker’s self‑esteem as they realize their true potential, supporting them with the tools they need to find meaningful employment.

With your guidance, you will support them to establish individualized objectives for employment, refine interview skills, and ensure they have a résumé that articulates their abilities while showcasing their strengths. You will partner throughout the job search by identifying barriers and needed accommodations to ensure an equitable candidate experience. You will identify jobs that are a good match, building your job seeker’s confidence and excitement as they prepare to return to work.

• Great communication and relationship building skills
• Impeccable follow‑up skills
• Attention to detail
• Curious, eager to learn and open to explore multiple solutions
• Understand that each person supported will have different needs
• Understand equity and equality are not the same
• See the possibilities for others, sometimes before they do
• Excellent Monday through Friday work schedule. No weekends or evenings
• Full‑time positions are eligible for medical, dental, and vision, 401k program, tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per year, student loan counseling program, 15 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, etc.

Assists job seekers to determine their definition of meaningful employment and create a plan to achieve success via comprehensive intake and employment preparation, labor market research, resume development or refinement, interview guidance, job search assistance, networking, mentorship, and motivation.

• Assimilates information gained during intake to develop a comprehensive career plan leading to meaningful employment.
• Guides job seeker through employment preparation stages including dressing for success, employer expectations, outside referrals, resume development, and career exploration.
• Develops job leads by continuous research of new employers and ongoing contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives to learn of opportunities and employer’s unique needs.
• Matches job requirements with job seeker’s ideal employment conditions and qualifications.
• Assists job seeker through the entire application, interview, and hiring process and conducts necessary follow‑up upon hire.
• Delivers 90‑day follow‑up support to ensure retention; tailors methods, communication styles, and approach with each job seeker to ensure success.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation via electronic records and manual systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typically requires high school diploma.

• Typically requires 1–2 years’ experience in job development or vocational rehabilitation; or equivalent combination of training, education, and experience to…