Employment Specialist

Location: New York

Employment Specialist

Birch Family Services – Hybrid location.

Salary: $24 - $28 per hour

Position Type: Full‑time

Job Category: Employment Services

Education Level: High School or GED

Reports to: Program Coordinator or Director

Purpose

To provide assistance, support, training and coaching to enable program participants to obtain or maintain competitive employment in integrated work settings.

Areas of General Responsibility Screening

• Develop key questions or learning experiences to assess present levels of skills with potential program members.
• Provide feedback to Birch leadership on the appropriateness of Birch services for the individual.

Assessment and Planning Prior to Beginning Services

• Develop a scope and sequence (learning plan) to drive skill development to meet life plan goals.
• Work with the direct manager to ensure plans, tactics and approach are effective.
• Devise internal learning plan goals and monitor progress toward meeting those goals by an established date.

Pre‑Employment Training and/or Completing Discovery

• Proactively share plans and seek feedback from the direct manager or coach.
• Complete the discovery report within the allotted timeframe to yield a clear plan of top strengths, areas of growth and best fit job opportunities.

Opportunity and Experience Development

• Develop volunteer experiences, internship opportunities and paid work opportunities aligned with program goals.
• Contact and convince potential employers to modify existing jobs to better meet the program member’s needs.

Personal Organization

• Maintain calendar to identify billable time.
• Task or to‑do lists for work with supervisor or coach.
• Complete data collection (progress notes) within 48 hours of providing services.
• Draft Staff Action Plans within two weeks after a Life Plan meeting and complete monthly progress reports.

Work Placement and Coaching

• Assist program participants in securing work opportunities.
• Support individuals in applying for paid employment.
• Serve as a liaison between a potential employer, program member and other stakeholders.
• Assist an employer, as necessary, with position modifications.

Communication and Documentation

• Participate in and send recap notes for Life Plan meetings.
• Draft Staff Action Plans.
• Write detailed data collection notes to Precision Care.
• Write thorough monthly updates.
• Complete ACCES‑VR billing forms if needed.
• Complete Pre‑Voc annual assessments and/or ETP discovery documentation.

Support

Meet with a coach or supervisor at least once per week. Proactively name progress toward goals, identify what’s on track, propose solutions and next steps.

Miscellaneous

Participate in required trainings and maintain certifications related to job responsibilities.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications and key responsibilities are not exhaustive. Responsibilities are not limited to specific examples cited.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Background, passion and proven results for teaching other people.
• Passion for helping make the job landscape more equitable for people with disabilities.
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
• Basic computer proficiency.

EEO Statement

Birch Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Birch Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Birch Family Services expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Birch Family Services’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

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