Employment Specialist Job Scottsboro Tennessee USA,Social Work

Description

Responsibilities and Duties:

Working under the supervision of the Employment Supervisor, the Employment Specialist coordinates and delivers employment services through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs), Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), and other employment-focused initiatives. The Employment Specialist supports individuals with disabilities through assessment, employment planning, discovery, customized employment, job development, employer engagement, workplace training, employment stabilization, and ongoing employment support services designed to promote competitive integrated employment and long-term career success.

The Employment Specialist is assigned a primary area of responsibility based upon organizational need, staff experience, certifications, and program requirements. Primary assignments may include MAPs, ECF, or DDA employment services, or a combination of employment programs. While Employment Specialists are expected to collaborate across employment initiatives and may provide support in multiple program areas when needed, not all Employment Specialists will be responsible for delivering all employment services.

The Employment Specialist serves as a subject matter expert in supported employment and customized employment practices and maintains working knowledge of VR, MAPs, ECF, and DDA employment services to ensure individuals receive coordinated, person-centered support throughout their employment journey. Employment Specialists also collaborate with Youth Employment Specialists, Youth Employment Coaches, schools, families, and referral sources to support transition-age youth and young adults as they move from school-based services into adult employment services and competitive integrated employment.

Millar Rich is a trauma-informed organization that values empathy, open communication, and respectful collaboration. The Employment Specialist demonstrates a strong awareness of how trauma can impact individuals and communities and approaches their work with compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Specific duties may include:

Develops and maintains partnerships with local employers, businesses, workforce development organizations, and community partners to create competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities;

Conducts discovery activities, vocational assessments, situational assessments, and other person-centered planning processes to identify employment strengths, interests, support needs, and career goals;

Assists individuals in identifying, pursuing, obtaining, and maintaining competitive integrated employment consistent with their preferences, interests, abilities, and long-term career goals;

Provides individualized job development, customized employment, employer engagement, and placement services to support successful employment outcomes;

Collaborates with individuals, family members, guardians, employers, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Support Coordinators, Innovation Coordinators, educators, and other stakeholders to support employment success and coordinated service delivery;

Provides workplace training, systematic instruction, task analysis, accommodation development, assistive technology recommendations, natural support development, and employment stabilization services as needed;

Supports individuals in developing self-advocacy skills, workplace communication skills, transportation independence, financial literacy, problem-solving abilities, and other skills necessary for long-term employment success;

Assists individuals in accessing community resources, transportation options, benefits counseling resources, postsecondary opportunities, and employment-related supports;

Provides consultation and support to employers regarding disability awareness, workplace accommodations, natural support development, retention strategies, and inclusive employment practices;

Maintains employment-related data, service records, assessments, employment plans, progress reports, outcome documentation, billing records, and other required documentation in accordance with organizational, funding source, and regulatory requirements;

Monitors employment outcomes and participant progress to ensure services are effectively supporting successful employment and career advancement;

Collaborates with Youth Employment Coaches, Youth Employment Specialists, schools, families, and…