Employment Specialist

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Director of Employment Services or Associate Director to the Network Director, the Employment Specialist develops job opportunities and placements for people with disabilities. Employment Specialists contact employers for job openings and work with employers to identify positions and tasks for their clients. Employment Specialists help to facilitate positive employment outcomes for people seeking employment. A primary responsibility is helping identify client’s skills and goals while working with them to find as well as apply for jobs that align with their skills and goals.

The supports and services provided will be done in a dignified, respectful and professional manner. The Employment Specialist is expected to travel and work in multiple counties to provide employment services.

Salary: $39,000-$45,000

Shift: 8:30 am- 5:00 pm with occasional evening and weekend hours

Location: Joliet, IL

Reports To: Network 6 Director

Network Or Department: Network 6

• Promote a work environment that respects those we serve and always treats them with dignity and respect.
• Perform intake with prospective clients and their guardians/families, explaining services, and gathering required information.
• Prepare referrals for Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).
• Complete an assessment with each new client identifying skills, abilities, interests, education, work experience and other information necessary for a positive work placement outcome.
• Work with people seeking employment to prepare the Individual Service Plan.
• Setup Job Shadowing and Trial Work assessments for people as needed.
• Coach people on job search techniques including how to fill out applications, how to present themselves during an interview, etc.
• Using networking techniques, contacting organizations (including cold calling), and market to employers to solicit job openings for clients.
• Help clients obtain job leads from every possible source of listings, advocate with employers for job opportunities.
• Assist clients in filling out applications (paper and electronic) as requested and needed.
• Assist clients with preparing for a job interview as requested and needed.
• Work with employers to identify job tasks that may need to be modified to fit client’s abilities.
• Assist clients with job retention including individual counseling as well as job groups after employment is obtained for the purpose of teaching skills on how to keep a job, budgeting, dealing with conflict at work, etc.
• Participate in required staffings with DRS counselors and clients to ensure employment plans are working and to identify problems before they result in a job loss.
• Provide on-site support at various community employers to further ensure the success of people served.
• Work closely with counselors at DRS to maintain positive and productive relationships.
• Maintain client files, documenting services provided (assessment, shadowing, job development, coaching, retention and staffing, as appropriate) and ensuring that all documentation is accurate and upholds Trinity Services’ mission, values, and operational needs.
• Work closely with multiple day programs to provide employment work groups/workshops for people served to help provide information on gaining community employment, building on soft skills for employment, and job retention.
• Ensure job coach progress notes are completed in a detailed, accurate, consistent and timely manner for each period billed.
• Perform public presentations to promote employment services at various events including school IEPs, conferences, workshops, service fairs and others.
• Manage billing and advocate for payments with DRS staff.
• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly required paperwork in a detailed, accurate, consistent and timely manner.
• Provide mentorship and supervision to career mentors and job coaches, as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as instructed.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants, DRS, community employers, coworkers, and their supervisor.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Strong commitment to supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
• Ability to maintain confidential information in a trusted and ethical manner.

• Traveling between counties/towns required; mileage reimbursed.
• Be able to lift over 40 pounds from floor to waist unassisted.
• Be able to push and pull 75 pounds.
• Be able to complete deep knee squats.
• Be able to push wheelchairs up to 200 pounds.
• Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Operate motor vehicles.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment.
• Physical activities that could be used include: driving,…