The Program Specialist (Supportive Employment) is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the Community Based Employment Program that will enable individuals with disabilities and severe disabilities to access, obtain and maintain competitive employment. The Program Specialist (Supportive Employment) reports directly to the Service Director (Vocational) who reviews work performance for effectiveness and adherence to program policies, procedures and effective program outcomes (both fiscal and placement goals) and provides general direction and guidance of overall functions of the program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Represents Step By Step and the project with the primary funding agencies, i.e. the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blindness/Visual Services, MH/MR, etc.
Represents Step By Step and the project with the Business Council.
Develops job opportunities in competitive employment through a marketing strategy with other Step By Step Community Employment Specialists and Per-Diem job coaches.
Provides supervision, in-service support, weekly staff meetings and feedback to all project personnel.
Provides individual counseling and/or crisis on the job/site, on an as-needed basis to consumers, Community Employment Specialists/job coach personnel, and employers.
Promotes person-centered consumer driven approaches to job placement with program staff.
Monitors and visits job sites to ensure employer/employee satisfaction.
Coordinates and reviews all program data submitted by the Community Employment Specialists and/or job coaches.
Guides all Community Employment Specialists and job coaches in establishing a job placement plan for each eligible consumer.
Establishes a team environment in which all project staff share in the responsibility of ensuring project goals and objectives are met. Encourages staff to work independently, creatively and reliably regarding organizational skills.
Ensures Community Employment Specialists submit monthly reports/invoices in a timely manner to all funding sources and case management.
Monitors job development logs (by consumers/employers) and ensures timely submission of these reports.
Monitors referral generation, completion of intakes in a timely manner and pre-placement assessments (Marc Gold and Person-Centered Vocation Plans, etc.).
Monitors consumer files to ensure they are current and accurate.
Ensures that all required information is designated to the funding sources, case management, etc. in a timely manner.
Ensures staff productivity sheets, individual consumer sheets and daily service logs are submitted weekly (or more often based on the needs of the program).
Monitors the content of the Monthly Report to ensure there is sufficient detail for the funding source to authorize payment and ensures all needed attachments are submitted along with the Monthly Report.
Ensures timely letters are sent to funding sources when additional hours of service are required, including an explanation as to why the hours are required. Ensures that supplemental documentation is attached to all letters (list of employers contacted, termination reports, etc.), thus ensuring authorization will be funded.
Ensures Community Employment Specialists are attempting to spend 85% of their time in consumer-specific billable service.
prepares reports for the funding agencies.
Attends all appropriate meetings and in-services.
Coordinates the authorization process with funding agencies in conjunction with assigned staff.
Researches and assists in development of creative funding sources.
Attends specific consumer meetings when the need arises (complex cases or where multi-levels of intervention are needed).
Establishes regular contacts with funding sources (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, school system personnel, other possible referral sources, etc.) to ensure program expansion and continuation.
Arranges and conducts “open hours” meetings for case management, funding sources, potential referral sources and key agency staff regarding the new vocational services and to generate referrals, along with promoting the program.
Ensures that agency/program policies and procedures are followed by program staff.
Develops new forms and revises existing forms, as needed, by the funding agencies.
Actively participates in program review and program expansion process.
Assumes completion of purchase requests.
Compiles reports, statistics on referrals, placements and retentions as required for on-going evaluation of program.
Assigns staff to photograph consumers placed in competitive employment (ensures all appropriate releases are signed by the consumer) and uses these photographs/slides as a marketing tool for on-going program continuation of increased placements and referrals.
Schedules full-time staff and arranges for part-time/per Diem staff as needed.
Conducts reviews of all services provided.
Miscellaneous duties, as assigned.
Education and/or Experience:
Associate’s degree/60 credits hours from an accredited college or university plus a minimum of four (4) years’ experience working directly with individuals who have an intellectual disability.
Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.
Step By Step is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Step By Step, we are committed to and value an inclusive and diverse workforce and we believe that diversity and inclusion among our workforce is critical to our success. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, parental status and any other characteristics or protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. All employment decisions are based upon qualifications, merit, and business necessity.
Pay: From $26.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
