Employment Specialist

Overview

Summary Work as part of the interdisciplinary team to assist adult individuals with disabilities and/or other challenges in identifying and making choices about their social, vocational and personal goals; and in choosing, getting and keeping individual competitive employment.

• Hourly Pay Range: $20.35 - $27.27
• This position pays: $20.35/Hour
• Tuition and gym reimbursement
• Emergency assistance funds
• Paid time off
• Referral bonuses
• Retirement plan contributions
• And more depending on position

• Coordinate intake process for new referrals and/or interdepartmental transfers to include review of referral materials/Master File, conducting a comprehensive intake interview, development of an Individual Service or Recovery Plan (ISP/IRP) with the individual receiving services and other interdisciplinary team members, and completion of required documentation to complete the intake process.
• Implement the ISP/IRP and ensure employment readiness (i.e. appropriate attire, bus fare/passes, etc.) and the smooth and timely transition to employment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, employers, family members, residential providers, funders, and any other internal and external contacts to ensure pertinent resources are available to individuals.
• Schedule, facilitate, and/or participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to develop, enhance and review the ISP/IRP to ensure smooth and timely coordination of services and supports, including those necessary to meet personal care needs and individual goals.
• Prepare for and participate in scheduled clinical team meetings (DMHAS-funded programs only).
• Prepare for and participate in periodic Person Centered Planning meetings (DDS-funded program only).
• Empower individuals receiving services to maximize their input regarding services/supports that are provided by supporting self-advocacy activities.
• Assist in the facilitation of training programs such as job seeking, job retention and relevant life skills (i.e. travel training, sexuality awareness and abuse prevention, socialization and self-advocacy).
• Review information about individuals from records, tests, interviews, and other professionals to become familiar with the individual's interests, aptitudes, abilities, personality characteristics, and special needs related to vocational planning and job development. Stay abreast of labor market trends.
• Assist in development of a professional resume for each assigned individual to be used during the job search that will highlight areas of strength and prior job experience, as applicable.
• Ensure a specified number of job placements that match the individual's skills, needs and vocational goals, as established by supervisor. May conduct on-site job analysis to determine if job requirements and work environment match individual's skills, needs, and vocational goals. May arrange and facilitate interviews with prospective employers.
• May train individuals to perform their essential work tasks in an appropriate and productive manner, specific to the workplace. Ensure that employer's production and quality control needs are met. This may require the employment specialist to complete actual work tasks, as appropriate and/or to document attendance, work produced, etc. Facilitate opportunities for individuals to maximize their integration into the workplace.
• Work with the employer to ensure that a safe and accessible work environment exists. Act as a resource for employers regarding disability issues.
• Provide crisis intervention and utilize approved behavioral management techniques to enhance the individual’s success in the workplace.
• Provide required communication and documentation to meet agency, state, federal and other pertinent standards and guidelines. Ensure that all required documentation for payroll and progress reports, service delivery and participation is completed in a thorough and timely manner.
• Use of computer to complete service documentation in program data management system, to include, but not limited to, job development activity, outreach efforts, job placement information, periodic assessments,…