Employment Specialist; Supported Employment

At Peace Health Care
Position: Employment Specialist / Job Coach
Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time
Location: Community-Based / Local Employer Sites

At Peace Health Care is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Employment Specialist to provide Supported Employment services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Employment Specialist helps individuals identify employment goals, obtain competitive integrated employment, learn job responsibilities, develop workplace skills, and become as independent as possible in their employment.

This position involves working directly with individuals at community businesses and employment sites and collaborating with employers, families, Support Coordinators, and other members of the individual's support team.

The Employment Specialist will:

• Provide individualized, person-centered Supported Employment services based on each individual's ISP, strengths, preferences, needs, and employment goals.

• Assist individuals with identifying career interests and employment preferences.

• Support job searching, applications, résumé development, interview preparation, and employer outreach.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with local employers.

• Complete job analyses and task analyses to identify job duties, workplace expectations, training needs, and appropriate supports.

• Provide on-the-job coaching and systematic instruction.

• Use appropriate teaching strategies such as modeling, verbal and gestural prompts, visual supports, task analysis, reinforcement, and other individualized techniques.

• Help individuals develop workplace skills including attendance, communication, task completion, time management, appropriate workplace behavior, and interaction with supervisors and coworkers.

• Encourage independence and natural workplace supports rather than unnecessary dependence on paid staff.

• Develop and implement plans for gradually fading job-coaching support as the individual becomes more independent.

• Assist individuals in communicating directly with supervisors and coworkers whenever possible.

• Maintain professional relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals, employers, families, and team members.

• Monitor employment progress and communicate significant changes or concerns to the appropriate supervisor and support team.

• Follow all health, safety, emergency, incident-management, confidentiality, and individual-rights requirements.

• Provide transportation when required and authorized by agency policy.

• Complete accurate and timely service documentation for all services provided.

• Participate in required training, supervision, team meetings, and ongoing professional development.

Employment Specialists are responsible for maintaining accurate and individualized documentation, including:

• Daily Supported Employment service notes

• Job-development and employer-contact documentation

• Job Analysis and Job Match forms

• Task Analysis worksheets when applicable

• Fading and Natural Supports plans

• Documentation of the individual's response to coaching and level of assistance provided

• Employment changes and significant workplace developments

• Incident and safety documentation when applicable

Documentation must accurately reflect the services actually provided and be completed according to At Peace Health Care policies and applicable Pennsylvania ODP Chapter 6100 requirements.

• High school diploma or equivalent; additional education or experience in human services, rehabilitation, education, employment services, or a related field preferred.

• Ability to work effectively with individuals with intellectual and developmental…