Employment Specialist - Spencer

Spencer, 920 S Grand, Spencer, Iowa, United States of America

Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM

Hope Haven is an accredited resource for disability services and advocacy. We offer service programs and support to meet a broad range of needs for children, adults, and families – from physical, mental, and intellectual to residential, vocational, and spiritual.

We are looking for a full time Employment Specialist to engage our clients and the communities we serve and form lasting partnerships with local companies.

Candidate will represent the philosophy of Hope Haven and “Employment First” principles to promote integrated, competitive employment as the first option for youth and adults with disabilities. Job responsibilities include aligning clients with work environments that are mutually beneficial, encouraging and empowering clients to make positive choices about their work and employment, as well as managing, monitoring, and documenting the process as it develops.

• Health Insurance coverage by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Free $15,000 Term Life Insurance Policy
• 403B Retirement Plan with 8% employer match after one year
• Flex Spending – put aside pretax dollars used for medical & dependent care reimbursement.
• Supplemental Benefits:
  Accident, Critical Illness, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Voluntary Life.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Temporary Medical Leave (TML)
• Holidays based on status of employment
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)
• Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF Program)
• BVU Partnership Educational Benefits
• Pay on Demand with Dayforce Wallet

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in human services, sociology, psychology, education, human resources, marketing, sales or business, or commensurate experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal/counseling skills to work with clients individually and in groups.
• Skills in computer use and word processing.
• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Clearance from all applicable background checks as required by service standards.
• Up to date physical.

• Serve as Team Facilitator for clients served.
• Accountable for the development and implementation of the employment component of the Individual Service Plan using a person-centered planning process that is based in “Employment First” principles.
• Assume leadership responsibilities for day-to-day employment service delivery to support persons with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining integrated competitive employment.
• Ensure positive customer relations and education activities through interactions and speaking engagements about and promoting My Choice Employment and “Employment First” to prospective clients and family members, referral sources/case managers, funders, employers, school/education personnel, civic groups, business groups/organizations, and others.
• Provide direct support that is based in “Employment First” principles to clients and employment staff. This support will be direct involvement in community employment settings, teaching individual or group activities that focus on preparing individual for paid employment and assisting in developing natural supports.
• Develops and maintains regular contacts with employers in the community that produce employment opportunities for clients. Ensures employers are satisfied with services.
• Review service objective plans on a monthly basis. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of services provided that clearly and legibly reflects the client’s goals, staff intervention and support, client response and progress made.
• Arrange and manage client’s employment services funding and assure documentation of services are accurate and support attendance records and billing data.
• Accountable for supporting clients in applying for and maintaining benefits for which they are eligible (i.e. Social Security Disability, Title XIX, SSI).

• Ability to use and operate office equipment such as telephone, computer keyboard, etc.
• Ability to drive.
• Requires physical mobility to walk, stoop, stand, sit, and climb steps.
• Requires physical strength to assist individuals in transferring, lifting, positioning, carrying boxes of product, etc.

If this all sounds like a good fit, you are here for a reason. Apply today. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and scheduling. And you’ll be able to put your gifts to good use, which comes with its own amazing rewards.

Spencer, 920 S Grand, Spencer, Iowa, United States of America