Community and Training Specialist

SUMMARY Responsible for conducting orientation for new participants, conducting initial assessments to identify barriers to employment, and assisting participants in developing and completing the goals in their individual plans leading to the goal of competitive employment. Facilitate the acquisition of competitive employment for clients Major duties include providing vocational training and counseling, monitoring client progress and attendance, effective communication with referral sources, assessing applicants to determine vocational strengths, identifying barriers to employment, providing vocational counseling and employability skills training, conduct targeted job development, and provide consultation with employers who hire Goodwill clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES Maintain ongoing productive relationships with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and other referral providers to market the Community Employment and Training programs to ensure a steady stream of appropriate referrals to the program.

Work with clients in all Vocational Services programs and with retail employees upon request; provide vocational counseling, supervision, and coordination as requested.

Conduct an initial assessment of each new client to identify vocational strengths and barriers to employment, assess employability skills, and develop an achievable vocational goal.

Monitor the attendance of program participants and record all absences.

Provide orientation and training for the assigned job; review safety topics with all participants on a monthly basis.

Ensure that participants’ progress through their programs effectively in the time period allotted; monitor participant progress throughout the program, providing coaching and vocational counseling to encourage improvement in performance and conduct mock job interviews with participants in preparation for jobs.

Develop and implement individualized training plans for clients that contain a vocational goal and measurable, time-limited goals and responsibilities.

If successful completion of program goals is not attained, refer participants to alternative programs and/or facilities after consulting with a referral source.

Prepare accurate weekly and monthly reports of participant progress based on observation and consultation with the worksite supervisor and Vocational Trainer and send them to referral source in a timely manner.

Provide short-term job coaching including counseling on job retention skills to assist newly-employed clients in becoming acclimated to their jobs.

Provide post-placement follow-along for a minimum of 90 days to ensure that the new employee has become acclimated to the job; provide intervention, including, but not limited to short-term job coaching to individuals in need of more intensive post-placement assistance to become stable in their jobs.

Promote an environment of cooperation and support where creativity and innovation are encouraged for participants, employees, co-workers, partners, and other stakeholders and customers.

Prepare reports in a timely and accurate manner.

Demonstrate consistently professional demeanor in speech, actions and appearance, serving as a role model for participants, staff and co-workers and community partners.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES Conduct time studies and performance measurements within established time frames, submitting completed paperwork in a timely manner.

Assist in gathering data for completion of quarterly Outcome Measurement.

Maintain updated client information in the department’s Client Information System.

Maintain a working knowledge of CARF requirements and standards regarding client case records and programs.

Prepares vendor billings in a timely manner.

Serve as a member of the local interagency committee.

Assign and monitor clients’ goals for maximum training benefit.

Assist the Goodwill Community Employment and Training Programs.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES The list below is representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability utilized while performing this job.

Ability to adhere to the organization’s Core Principles.

Strong interpersonal skills and effective judgment.

Ability to implement a variety of training techniques.

Knowledge of methods and techniques used in vocational counseling.

Knowledge of workplace practices, including performance measurement techniques to establish pay rates.

Knowledge of public assistance programs and community resources.

Ability to manage stress related to working with…