Realistic Job Preview
Project HIRE Mission:
Our agency assists individuals living with a full spectrum of disabilities in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. We do this through our field staff who assist individuals one-on-one, in the community with employment support.
What Do Current Project HIRE Staff Say They Enjoy About the Program?
In a recent poll of existing staff, these were some items that were reported:
● Being able to play a crucial part in providing a big sense of independence and self gratification to the individuals that we serve.
● I enjoy working with my participants and assisting them find great jobs. I enjoy the freedom to be creative.
● Being able to accomplish and assist individuals working in the community. Interacting with a variety of individuals , family members, and other coworkers as well. Feeling appreciated when there is success with the placement.
● Supporting participants and watching them progress.
When asked about the management style of Project HIRE supervisors, the staff had this to say:
● Management of Project HIRE has slightly changed from years ago due to technology advancements. There is better communication resulting from this having access to voicemail, text, email etc resolving and providing support as needed to PH Staff.
● The management allows for self direction and is available to guide if you ask
● Open-minded , valuing others opinions, support to the staff, always available when needed.
● Management does not micromanage and is there to guide if needed, employees with strong organizational skills will thrive, while those requiring intensive management support for the long term may struggle.
Successful Employees Possess These Qualities
● Patience, understanding and flexibility
● You need to have compassion, be organized, plan ahead, be flexible, be able to problem solve, be able to think outside the box, have good communication skills, be honest, and be able to ask for assistance when all else fails. Be a team player and understand the clients needs and situation.
● I think the individual needs to be very flexible, creative and dedicated to the position.
They need to work independently and be willing to learn things on their own in the field.
● Organizational skills and ability to adjust to a quickly changing environment while making sure to complete required documentation on a daily basis
Employees with the following qualities may struggle at Project HIRE
● Weak interpersonal skills
● Unwilling to flex to the needs of the participant and/or assist co workers
● Lack of organizational skills or unable to operate in unstructured environment
● Unable to see things from someone else’s perspective, lacking in empathy
● Poor computer/technological skills
● Those who struggle to cope with changing priorities/tasks/assignments
● Applicants looking for work-from-home positions will not be successful
Duties/Roles
Employment support can be provided at the “pre-placement” phase (looking for work),
“intensive” phase (training assistance at the new job) and/or “follow-along” phase (long-term, periodic check-ins at work). Our staff work to teach as much independence as possible and aim to involve participants in the process as much as possible in pursuit of vocational goals. Project
HIRE also works with high school students to assist with the transition from school to work in some areas.
Full-time staff, generally, are responsible for about 20 individual cases. The caseload is a mix of individuals who have been working for some time, have just begun employment and/or are looking for work. The caseload is fluid and the needs of the participants will change as their situation changes. Staff must maintain regular contact with everyone on his/her caseload and are responsible for informing appropriate supervisors if participants become unresponsive or disinterested in services.
Another function of Project HIRE staff is to facilitate discussion with relevant parties at opportune times to assist in development and achievement of vocational goals. That means calling meetings with the participant and funders/families/employers to discuss issues, changes and or address challenges faced in obtaining and maintaining employment. Understanding the different expectations of various constituents is vital in the success of Project HIRE staff.
Finally, documentation is required for all activities related to participants served. Hourly records are kept along with a handful of required forms that are completed at certain junctures. All documentation and forms are kept in a web-based, electronic database and can be completed in just about any location.
Schedule/Location/Travel
Full-time staff work 40 hours per week in a semi-flexible schedule. Our staff work when participants need us, so weekend and evening hours will be expected in the event participants are relying on employment support to be successful at work. Saturdays are, effectively, our
Mondays, meaning that if staff do work on a weekend, they can look to the remainder of the week to work a lighter day and flex the 40 hour work week.
Staff work in the community, which can mean a variety of settings depending on the situation of the participant assigned. This position is community based, not work-from-home. Most individuals are visited at their place of employment, while others, in the pre-placement phase are met at mutually agreed upon locations in the community to complete job search activities.
This means that reliable transportation is a requirement for Project HIRE staff. Most often, staff work within a specific county area of operation agreed upon at hire.
Project HIRE staff, generally, do not transport individuals. However, in circumstances where an interview has been offered and no other transportation option is available, occasionally, staff may transport an individual to the interview site so long as any safety concerns (if applicable), have been addressed.
Technology Requirements
Basic computer skills are a requirement for all Project HIRE staff. Staff are provided with cell phones (with wifi hotspots) and computers so documentation can be accessed in just about any location. Project HIRE mainly utilizes the Google suite of applications. Functional knowledge of
Gmail, Sheets and Docs is required. Other required computer skills include, but are not limited to: connecting to wifi, printing to PDF, attaching files to emails and utilizing virtual meeting spaces like Google Meet. Employment search is especially digital and navigating websites and online applications will be a major part of anyone assisting individuals in looking for work.
Additionally, proper technology etiquette is very important when interfacing with constituents via email, text or phone.
Participants
Project HIRE staff work with a full spectrum of individuals living with disabilities. While specializing in working with those living with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, staff may work with individuals living with other disabilities, such as blindness, mood disorders or physical issues. Individuals are referred to the agency by the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation Services, and/or the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Project HIRE implements Positive Behavioral Interventions only, meaning no restrictive measures are taken.
Staff do not get involved with medication, transportation to work, ambulation and/or legal matters.
Work Settings
Field staff will work in a wide variety of settings which will depend on the employment accepted by the individuals served. While participants work in just about any setting you can think of, the majority are in retail settings like department and grocery stores. Staff are not expected to do
work for the participant, but often modeling is an appropriate tool to use when teaching tasks so
Project HIRE staff are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and show an individual how a task is done, should that be the best strategy to use. Settings may include but are not limited to front of house and back rooms, bathrooms and outdoors.
Communication
Due to the community nature of the program, the primary way participants will contact you is via your Project HIRE issued cell phone. Staff are expected to return correspondence from constituents within 2 business days, but should look out for emergent urgent issues and respond accordingly. Inquiries from supervisors should be returned as soon as possible, in the manner they were received or within 3 working hours, email should be checked regularly as it is the primary way information relating to authorizations and service changes is communicated to relevant parties.
Management/culture
Project HIRE is a team, all staff do their best to be available and flexible when it comes to participant crisis at work. While you may be physically on your own, staff are welcome and encouraged to reach out via phone/text/email to supervisors in the event coverage is an issue for someone in need. Project HIRE supervisors are available and experienced and will be in regular contact with you for any assistance. Regular meetings and staffings are a normal part of operation. Your supervisor is there to help you learn the ins and outs of the job and make sure you can continue seeing participants uninterrupted, if you have a problem someone is a call or text away!
Training
For most staff, the first month of employment will be mainly training. Training consists of 4 main elements. Gradually, time spent training will reduce as new staff become more independent.
● One-on-one/small group with the Director - Orientation includes time with the program director discussing the program and general procedures.
● One-on-one/small group with Supervisor - Regular meetings with direct supervisor for region specific training
● Shadow experience(s) - New staff will spend the first weeks of employment observing current Project HIRE staff, in action, to get a better understanding of how we operate
● Required Virtual Training - Along with 4 live virtual sessions of Job Coach
Fundamentals from the Boggs Center/Rutgers, multiple, self paced, virtual training modules are assigned for completion via the College of Direct Supports.
Challenges
While an extremely rewarding and exciting experience, there are challenges that all staff must face when working for Project HIRE. For all challenges, your supervisor is only a phone call away, they are there for you to figure out how best to resolve!
● Scheduling - Juggling the needs of several participants at once can be a challenge, on top of that, individuals may unexpectedly cancel appointments requiring staff to find other work to do on short notice. Priorities constantly change as different issues emerge and resolve with participants. Successful staff are organized and always have back up plans in the event scheduled appointments cancel. Staff should be working with participants approximately 80% of the time they are working, so about 6 or so hours in an 8 hour work day. Current staff confirm that flexibility with scheduling is a must for success with project HIRE, while hours are limited to 40 per week, this is not a position for those looking for a strict 9-5 job.
● Constituents - Managing expectations for participants, funders, employers and Project
HIRE can be difficult for some. This job is definitely for someone who is comfortable talking with others and addressing, sometimes uncomfortable, topics related to employment. Each constituent may have different expectations of our program, so clarity of scope and services is key in success. Project HIRE staff note that conflict resolution and strong interpersonal skills are key in working with constituents with differing opinions and expectations.
● Self Direction - Working for Project HIRE requires the ability to self direct, you will have the opportunity to make decisions about your schedule, coaching techniques and priorities without a supervisor physically present. Staff must balance the needs/requests of constituents with program scope/limitations and seek out learning opportunities for participants. This arrangement is great for some, but for those looking for a job with extremely specific instruction, minute by minute, will struggle. An intrinsic motivation to help participants grow is a must. Staff currently working at project HIRE specifically describe successful employees as passionate about being integral in helping others become as independent as possible.
● Documentation - Funding is contingent upon the agency meeting various requirements which means procedures must be followed in order to ensure funding is approved. Requirements, documentation and service delivery models may seem cumbersome or arbitrary but must be followed so the agency can continue to operate. Employees of Project HIRE express that required forms, documentation and other procedures are not their favorite part of the job, but acknowledge that without good organizational and writing skills, it is not likely that new employees will be successful. If you are someone who needs to be reminded to complete documentation and records, this is not the job for you. All documentation is generally completed the same day, within 48 hours of service at most.
● Internal Procedures - In order to ensure Project HIRE follows set guidelines for operation, specific, written, procedures are put into place for most functions of the job. Consistent performance of quality is a must. This includes timely documentation, which essentially means being up to date with required forms and progress notes on a daily basis. Steps for documenting and billing for services are strict and individuals who do not take the time to learn/follow these procedures will not be successful at Project HIRE.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $19.03 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Developmental disabilities: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: On the road
