Employment & Education Specialist

We are a spirited charitable nonprofit organization advancing a new marketplace of inclusive housing, healthcare, employment and lifelong-learning options for adults with autism, neurodivergences and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). First Place-Phoenix, our flagship property, serves as a proof point informing our national work, offering a real-world site for innovation, learning and demonstration.

First Place AZ is an equal opportunity employer.

The Opportunity

The Employment & Education Specialist provides dedicated support to First Place Global's educational and employment programming, helping neurodivergent adults develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the job market and find meaningful work. This role operates across classroom and community settings, requiring a self-starter with strong communication skills who is equally comfortable working with learners, jobseekers, and community partners. This position will develop, implement, and deliver employment-related educational curriculum, as well as provide employment services including job training, career exploration, supported education, rehabilitation instructional services, and job development and retention through organizational programming and state contracts.

The ideal candidate is committed to empowering adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and other neurodivergences to achieve purposeful, competitive integrated employment aligned with their abilities and interests.

Who You Are

You bring experience working with neurodiverse populations and thrives in a fast-paced environment while remaining flexible, organized, proactive and efficient. You demonstrate a high level of professionalism, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine commitment to ethical standards, organizational outcomes and workplace diversity. You are open to direction and feedback, dedicated to high-quality performance and customer service and confident both giving and receiving ideas within a team.

What You’ll Do

• Support the Education Coordinator in planning, preparing and facilitating classroom activities and materials for workforce development programming.
• Assist with curriculum editing, formatting and development tasks between active class cycles, applying insights from direct employment support to improve instruction.
• Provide classroom and one-on-one employment support to learners and jobseekers, assisting them in developing employment skills including resume writing, interview preparation, job applications, workplace professionalism and interpersonal skills.
• Work with participants on career planning, job readiness, transportation and other skills needed for successful and sustained employment.
• Conduct assessments to identify participant strengths and employment goals; develop and implement individualized training plans accordingly.
• Provide ongoing support and communication with participants throughout their time in programming, including in the classroom, during job search and while employed.
• Conduct job development activities by sourcing leads and building relationships with local employers to connect participants to volunteer and employment opportunities aligned with their skills and goals.
• Advocate for inclusive hiring practices and ensure reasonable workplace accommodations are in place before and during employment.
• Maintain accurate records including case notes, participant files, attendance, and compliance documentation in accordance with Vocational Rehabilitation requirements and Employment team SOPs.
• Collaborate with supervisors to monitor participant development, drive program improvements and maintain adherence to OSHA safety standards.
• Deliver all services in a culturally relevant, accessible and identity-affirming manner, championing participants' rights and inclusion in competitive integrated employment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in social services or a related field (e.g., social work, psychology, special education, sociology, or human services) from an…