SUMMARY OF DUTIES
The Vocational Service Specialist is responsible for conducting vocational assessments and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in preparing for community-based employment. This role works in both agency and community settings and collaborates with schools, ACCES-VR, and interdisciplinary teams to develop meaningful vocational experiences. Responsibilities of this position include assessing skills, identifying strengths and barriers to employment, coordinating community-based work assessments, and recommending appropriate services and supports. The Vocational Service Specialist ensures all services are person-centered and compliant with agency, OPWDD, and ACCES-VR standards.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Preferred: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling or other closely related developmental disabilities or human services field, PLUS one year full-time paid direct service experience with developmentally disabled
Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education or other closely related developmental disabilities field, PLUS two years full-time paid direct service experience with developmentally disabled
Additional Requirements
- Valid New York State Driver’s License in good standing
- Reliable transportation for travel to community sites and meetings
- Ability to work in both office and community-based environments
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Services
- Conducts vocational assessments to all new enrollments into Community Prevoc/DLS, as well as individuals already enrolled in Community Prevoc who are preparing to transition into Supported Employment.
- Communicates the results of the individual’s skills, abilities, and needs to the individual’s treatment team. Assists with the development of a person centered plan with any needed follow up and assistance to provide for a smooth transition into the CPV or SEMP program assuring that all vocational, social and daily living skills needs are identified and recommendations for supports will be provided.
- Collects any previous assessment data and pertinent information from other agencies, families’/care providers.
- Provides consultation to individual’s Care Coordinator, family or care provider for referrals and linkage to appropriate employment or related skill development services.
- Works with SEMP coordinator on scheduling needs for any authorizations received from ACCES-VR for Community Based Work Assessments.
- Completes any ACCES-VR 112x Community Based Work Assessments as authorized, upholding contract and agency quality standards.
- Provides assessment data and records to other agencies, as requested, and gives signed consents, assuring adherence to confidentiality, regulations and policies
- Participates in staff meetings, group conferences and in-service training and community educational activities
- Works with School groups on Vocational skills/work based learning. Coordinating dates/times with district teachers and/or transition specialist with. Works with Production coordinator on developing or setting up work for student groups.
- Managing sign in sheets for Student groups. Training groups on the vocational task at hand and oversee work being completed.
- Spend time getting to know the students and what their after-school plans are, offer guidance, resources to Teachers/transition specialist for next steps.
- Provide individual students a work experience folder and certificate of completion after vocational work experience has come to an end.
- Strong cultural competency and ability to work respectfully with diverse populations
- Knowledge of person-centered planning and trauma-informed practices
Case Management
- As needed participates in multi-disciplinary meetings, initial, 30 day, annual, semi-annual or as needed Life Plan meetings and maintains communication with family, care providers, ACCES-VR counselors, Care Coordinators and other service and care providers as applicable to individual’s service plan.
- Supports the Community Employment Planner with case management to individuals during their first 30 days of participation in employment services.
- Supports the Community Employment Planner to develop a staff action plan through participant observation and team meetings in order to reach decision on program supports, intervention strategies, termination of service, or referral to other program.
- Reviews Life Plan, vocational, community pre-vocational and ACCES-VR sponsored plans and integrates all components in the assessments, including skill acquisitions, staff supports, methods, time frames, and alternatives
- Recommends to Vocational Trainer the appropriate level and type of activities based on staff action plan
- Develops and help maintain Volunteer opportunities within the community that will provide a well-rounded vocational experiences
- Builds and Maintains a good rapport with Community organizations/business, such as school districts, other agencies and ACCES-VR
- Assists in Implementing skill acquisitions and staff supports according to the individual’s valued outcomes as indicated in the Life Plan
- Attend Program to Program Committee meeting to discuss program movement and possible future assessments.
- Provides in a timely manner, all documentation for ACCES-VR and Community Pre-Voc programs in accordance with Agency and contract requirements.
- Meets with and may provide consultation to Community Employment Specialist and Vocational Trainer regarding the individual’s performance, progress, concerns and skill development.
- Maintains individual case files for assigned individuals with all supporting documents ie supporting paperwork, assessments, sign in sheets etc.
- Communicates with Coordinator of SEMP to maintain a referral list and further assist with any paperwork or referral information for both ACCES-VR and/or SEMP.
- Provides other coverage, help and assistance as needed.
- Participates in professional development, community and inter-agency committees to remain current on changing trends and program requirements.
- Actively participates and adheres with all ACCES-VR contract training requirements with NY Case trainings.
- Demonstrate commitment to ethical practices and maintaining confidentiality in all service interactions
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret assessment data to inform vocational planning and decision-making
- Proficiency in documentation systems and data entry for program compliance and evaluation
- Consistently complies with all Agency policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Good organizational skills
- High level of interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently within the community
- Possess good time management skills
- Ability and desire to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- High level of written and oral communication skills
- Knowledge of behavioral techniques and developmental disabilities to assist in the care of individuals
- Knowledge of current literature and trends related to the profession
- Knowledge of computer and ability to utilize word processing programs
- Familiarity with applicable standardized/non-standardized tests and assessment tools
- First Aid and SCIP training will be provided upon hire
Keywords: Job Coach, Vocational, Employment Services, Human Services, Social Work, PreVocational, Supported Employment, SEMP, Pre-Voc, Employment Specialist