DDA - Employment Specialist

Opportunities, Inc. seeks to ensure that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are provided opportunities to experience their communities through competitive and integrated employment, as well as meaningful engagement within their communities. This is accomplished by building relationships with individuals in our services, leading to discovering their interests, skills, and preferences for support. We pride ourselves on the excellence of our person-centered employment and community engagement services and the outcomes achieved from these services.

The DDA - Employment Specialist (ES) reports directly to the Program Manager and is responsible for providing direct employment services to individuals funded through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The ES works collaboratively with people supported and their planning teams to develop and implement individualized, person-centered employment supports based on each individual’s interests, strengths, skills, and support needs.

The ES delivers DDA-funded employment services including Discovery, job development, job coaching, and follow‑along supports. Services are provided in a variety of community settings such as individuals’ homes, community businesses, and employment sites. The ES builds strong relationships with individuals supported, families or legal guardians, coordinators of community services, and community employers to promote successful and sustainable competitive integrated employment outcomes.

FLSA Classification:
Non-Exempt

Wage: $26.50 per hour

• Conduct Discovery activities in accordance with DDA standards to identify individuals’ interests, strengths, skills, support needs, preferred work environments, and conditions for success.
• Use multiple Discovery methods, including community observations, interviews with the individual and their support network, activity-based assessments, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Develop a comprehensive Discovery Profile / Vocational Profile that accurately reflects findings and informs job development strategies.
• Share Discovery outcomes with the PCP team to support employment-related goals and strategies within the Person-Centered Plan.
• Use Discovery outcomes to lead individualized, employer-focused job development efforts aligned with each person’s informed choice.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community businesses to identify and negotiate competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
• Coordinate and facilitate informational interviews, situational assessments, job shadowing, and job tryouts consistent with DDA service expectations.
• Negotiate job duties, schedules, and supports—including customized employment arrangements—when appropriate.
• Support individuals with resume development, job applications, interview preparation, and employer communication.

• Provide onsite job coaching and training following successful job placement, using systematic instruction and other evidence-based strategies.
• Assist individuals in learning job tasks, workplace routines, social expectations, and employer-specific policies.
• Monitor job performance, provide constructive feedback, and adjust supports to promote skill development and independence.
• Coordinate with employers to address workplace needs while supporting employment retention and satisfaction.

• Provide ongoing follow‑along supports to individuals who are stable in their jobs to ensure continued success and employment retention.
• Maintain regular contact with individuals and employers to identify concerns early and support long-term employment outcomes.
• Develop and implement fade plans to reduce onsite supports as individuals increase independence, in collaboration with the Program Manager and employer.
• Re‑engage job coaching or job development activities as needed due to changes in employment status or support needs.

• Provide or coordinate travel training to assist individuals in learning safe and…