Description
As an Employment Services Specialist you will assist assigned participants in securing and maintaining employment that matches their needs, preferences, and abilities. The position begins as part-time while you work up to having more participants on your caseload. You can achieve full time status realistically in 30-90 days. This is a flexible position where you set most of your own hours with the exception of weekly mandatory meetings. There is a Vocational Rehabilitation training program in addition to the Partners In Opportunities training received the first week.
As an Employment Specialist, you will develop and maintain positive relationships with businesses to identify job opportunities for persons served. They will provide assessments, job development, on the job training and support to individuals with accessing transportation, accessing community services, and help educate and advocate for the individuals while aiding in building support with their coworkers, supervisors, and family members to help with long term job retention.
Requirements
Responsible To: Director of Employment Services
Qualifications: Experience working as an Employment Services Specialist or similar position preferred. Prior experience working with individuals with disabilities highly preferred. A Bachelor’s degree in Human Services preferred. A High School Diploma or GED is mandatory as is a current, valid Indiana Driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance and a “clean” criminal background check. Computer proficiency required.
Communication and Additional Skills: The position requires the ability to communicate effectively with populations including individuals, family members, referral agencies and business representatives. This includes the ability to tailor communication to each specific group of people, using appropriate styles and approaches, and an understanding of the importance of non-verbal cues in communication.
Excellent written communication with the ability to write effectively in a clear and concise manner is required. Written communication will be used to develop and complete all individual required documentation as well as to relay and receive messages via email from referral sources, business representatives, and VR personnel.
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Ability to function as a member of a team demonstrating cooperation and respect to all team members and customers.
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Independently demonstrate the ability to self-manage and direct work without on-site supervision.
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Knowledge of ADA accommodations, disability and funding systems, including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Disability Services and Indiana Medicaid Waiver is required.
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Organization/Productivity: ability to effectively organize assignments and complete documentation in a timely manner.
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Initiative: ability to complete tasks despite interruptions, complete required tasks without prompting: take on additional responsibilities as needed.
Summary
Position Summary:
Position Summary: The Employment Services Specialist will assist assigned individuals in securing and maintaining employment that matches their needs, preferences, abilities and interests. They will develop and maintain positive relationships with businesses to identify job opportunities for persons served, provide individualized assessment, job development, on-the-job training and long-term support to individuals, as needed and required. They will provide training, advocacy, and support to individuals in ancillary areas such as transportation, and accessing community services, and educate, advocate, and build natural supports with co-workers, supervisors, and family members to facilitate long-term job retention.
Responsibilities/Duties:
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Conduct one-on-one consultations with individuals to assess their employment needs and career aspirations.
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Develop a Discovery Profile for Employment Services for each assigned individual, utilizing specific discovery services as appropriate and requested by the VR Counselor.
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Facilitate workshops and training sessions on interview skills, networking, and job readiness.
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Connect individuals with relevant training, programs, resources, and support services.
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Coordinate job development activities of assigned individuals including resume preparation; cover letter creation; identification of job opportunities; completion and submission of applications; coordination and assistance with interviews; and advocacy with potential employers as requested and necessary.
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Match individuals to suitable job opportunities based on their skills and interests.
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Assist individuals in identifying barriers to employment and developing action plans to overcome these challenges.
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Develop and maintain relationships with local employers to identify job openings and workforce needs.
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Conduct on-site job analysis, as appropriate.
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Provide necessary and appropriate on-the-job training with each individual.
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Provide individual specific disability and awareness training as appropriate at the individuals job sites.
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Provide on-site job training, advocacy and development of natural supports, as appropriate.
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Provide post-employment supports and advocacy as necessary to individuals and employers to facilitate success for a minimum of 90 days.
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Provide Extended Services (ES) as required for all supported employment individuals on an on-going basis, as required.
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Completion and submission of all required documentation and billing for each assigned individual in their electronic case record in accordance with guidelines.
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Maintain a current authorization status for each individual served.
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Maintain regular, on-going communication with referral and funding sources for all assigned individuals.
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Meet regularly with each assigned individual during the job search. The frequency of meetings will vary based on each person’s specific choices and needs.
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Attend all required staff and agency meetings, in-services and staff trainings.
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Successfully complete all required trainings.
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Participate in job fairs, networking events, and community outreach activities to promote employment services.