Employment Specialist

Overview and Purpose

 

Provide specialized employment services to eligible participants with barriers, especially those in need of transitioning into employment and self-sufficiency. Responsible for program orientation, vocational assessment, development of Individual Employment Plan (IEP) and resume, job search and interviewing techniques, job readiness training, job development, job placement, job site mentoring, and accurate reporting. Follow along support upon placement to ensure retention.

 

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Work or related field required. Combination of experience and education may be substituted for four-year degree.

2 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities required

Knowledge of employment and/or specific client populations

Knowledge of employment and community resources and community based organizations

Bi-lingual Spanish preferred

Knowledge of occupations, job skills, and labor trends

Ability to work with minimal guidance and direction from supervisor.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work with diverse groups and individuals, including participants, referral sources, community resources, employers, and family members of participants.

A team player with co-workers and other outside sources. Willingness to participate in employer development activities, job fairs, trainings, school fairs and organizational activities.

Sufficient computer skills for data entry and word processing.

Able to operate a motor vehicle. Must possess a valid driver’s license and have valid and acceptable auto insurance coverage. Must be willing to transport participants throughout the KC Metro area when necessary.

 

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Provide support to individuals with significant disabilities to find employment in the community
  • Networking with employers on behalf of clients
  • Negotiate with employers to carve/customize jobs to match clients’ abilities and skills
  • On-site job coaching supporting clients in learning their new job
  • Documentation using electronic data base, includes employee time tracking, case note entries, mileage, business contacts within the community and program related paperwork
  • Develop relationships with referral sources, to recruit potential clients
  • Follow-along support upon job placement to ensure retention
  • Assist clients with resume development, cover letters, and job applications
  • Assist clients with interviewing and interpersonal work skills
  • Partner with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to ensure clients’ meet employment goals
  • Monitor and implement program compliance with CARF standards and other governing/funding sources
  • Follow agency health and safety procedures
  • Perform additional duties as assigned

 

Working Conditions

Majority of work week will be performed at community sites such as other agency offices, schools, libraries, other public meeting places and with employers. May experience exposure to temperature extremes when in training situations, in car and while traveling to contacts outside of the agency facility.

 

Work environment is usually busy with occasional periods of moderate stress. Addressing participant’s personal problems may increase stress in confrontational situations.

 

May require occasional evening or weekend hours to meet needs of the client and organizational activities.

 

Physical Effort – Light, exerting of up to 30 pounds of force occasionally / frequent exerting of up to 10 pounds of force.  May require carrying up to 30 pounds (laptop computer, printer, case files) while working in the community.  Requires standing and walking to a considerable degree