Job Title: Employment Specialist (ES)
Supervisor: Program Manager
Full time, Exempt/Salaried
Salary Range: $45,050 --- $53,000 --- $60,950
Core Values:
Employees are expected to collaborate with individuals, families and community partners. They will act intentionally to design each day with new opportunities and honor each person’s desire to express themselves and make personal choices. Employees will focus on their individuals and advocate in the wider world for acceptance of neurodiversity.
Brief Summary of the Position:
Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Employment Specialist (ES) is responsible for providing support throughout all stages of Employment Services to an assigned caseload of clients. This includes clients referred to our Employment Services by the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). This role involves working collaboratively with clients, their families, employers, and community partners. The ES will work holistically with Program Specialists in the Meaningful Day department to ensure clients receive comprehensive support in all services.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Medical / Dental / Vision Plans
- Paid Time Off (PTO), Mental Health Days (MHD), and Holidays
- Mileage reimbursement for transportation
- Access to resources and supports through Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Option to enroll in our professionally managed 401(K) Plan
Essential Functions:
60% Engagement with Clients:
- Implementation of Employment Services using DDA’s service definitions; includes Discovery Milestones, Job Development, and oversight of Follow Along and Ongoing Job Supports.
- Meet with assigned clients on a weekly basis to discuss progress on goals, understand their needs, and determine the next action steps based on their goals.
- Attend community experiences, information interviews, and trial shifts with the client.
- Conduct skill-based assessments relevant to the client’s employment goals.
- Create a Job Development Plan and Resume for clients preparing to start job searching.
15% Community Engagement and Networking:
- Build relationships and maintain communication with employers across a diverse range of fields.
- Understand the needs of the employer to recommend a job seeking client that meets their needs.
- Provide training to employers on topics such as autism, neurodiversity, and workplace accommodations.
15% Administrative and Case Management:
- Complete service logs after sessions with clients; approve service logs for Employment Associate.
- Participate in the Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process; includes attending PCP meetings, engaging with clients to determine PCP goals, writing PCP goals for Employment Services using the SMART model, and participating in quarterly program monitoring meetings.
- Maintain Discovery Tracking and Community Partnerships tracking documents.
- Attend weekly team meetings.
10% Other duties as assigned (which includes but not limited to):
- Responding to support calls for crisis management using Mandt-approved de-escalation strategies.
- Pursue professional development opportunities to strengthen skills and knowledge.
- Attend and participate in annual staff training days.
- Facilitate employment-related social groups and activities for Meaningful Day clients interested in employment.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be successful in this role
Person- Centered Approach:
- Prioritize the needs and preferences of the individual.
- Engage with the individual with respect and dignity.
- Build rapport to form trust with the individual and better understand them as an individual.
- Recognize the individual’s strengths and empower them to achieve their goals.
- Provide opportunities for individuals to practice self-determination such as making choices, solving problems, and setting goals for themselves
Coach/Facilitate Learning:
- Use specific, timely delivery of positive reinforcement to encourage repetition of specific actions that benefit the individual.
- Using systematic instruction strategies, such as prompting hierarchies and task analyses, to support the individual with learning the skill and building autonomy.
- Provide regular opportunities for individuals to practice and maintain learned skills across a variety of environments for generalization of those skills.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
- Provide clear and concise instructions, use concrete language, and avoid using unhelpful jargon and ambiguous language.
- Break down complex information to ensure the client understands the information.
- Active listening to ensure an understanding of what the individual saying (ex. pay attention to body language, ask clarifying questions).
- Recognize and adapt to the range of individuals’ communication styes and modes of communication (including assistive technology and visual aids).
Conflict Management and De-Escalation:
- Establish consistent routines and uphold clear expectations to reduce conflict.
- Demonstrate emotional intelligence (manage and regulate own emotions, understand and empathize with the emotions of others) to manage conflicts effectively.
- Maintain a calm demeanor and use a calming voice to address conflict.
- Identify internal and external factors that may trigger conflict, and proactively address using individualized strategies for each client.
Solution Based Problem Solving:
- Demonstrate flexibility by adapting to different situations, switching tasks promptly, and making necessary changes to meet the client’s needs.
- Use critical thinking to gather information, evaluate information, and decide how to proceed with solving the problem.
Digital Literacy:
- Proficiency in basic computer skills such as typing and composing emails.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Teams, Outlook, Word, etc.), virtual meeting platforms (i.e., Zoom), and online platforms for documentation and professional development.
- Assist others learning how to use these technologies through individualized teaching strategies.
Time Management and Organization:
- Prioritize tasks that are most important and urgent.
- Establish and maintain a personal organizational system to keep track of tasks and to remember important information at a later time.
- Review and respond to emails within one business day.
Required Education/Certifications/Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent experience, plus 2 years related experience working in Employment Services-related roles. Skilled in relationship building and proven track record of attention to detail, following the client’s lead, and engaging in creative problem solving. CPR/First Aid, Driver’s License and vehicle required. Required to obtain CESP certification.
Preferred Education/Certifications/Experience:
Master's degree in vocational Rehabilitation, MBA, certified benefits counselor, or 3 or more experience as a Job Developer/Employment Specialist/Discovery Specialist or RBT. CESP certified.
*This position requires applicant to complete a background check and drug screen (arranged and paid for by Itineris, Inc.) prior to hire. DDA mandated trainings, ACRE, and CESP certification provided once hired.
Pay: $45,050.00 - $60,950.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 2 years of relevant experience working in Employment Services or related roles?
- Do you have a valid driver’s license with no more than 2 points?
- Are you comfortable transporting individuals we support in your personal vehicle?
- Do you have a personal vehicle?
- Are you CPR/First Aid certified?
Work Location: In person
