Youth Employment Specialist
Why should you pick MMI as your next employer?
That’s the ultimate question, isn’t it? We have an easy answer: we care about our employees as much as we all care about our persons served! Here at MMI, we strive towards our mission of developing inclusive communities and meaningful connections through employment and training. What you may not know is that we also support the people who work here and want you to achieve your goals, too. We want YOU to grow along with the people we serve on a daily basis!
Youth Employment Specialist: Mi-POWER (Pursuing Occupations With Employment Results)
One of the key functions of the Youth Employment Specialist is to assist with employment transition for selected students in a structured and nurturing environment through the MI-POWER. The YES works with the team to develop a host business location that provide opportunities for transitioning students to gain knowledge and experience in a wide range of positions. The students participate for one school year; rotating through different stations every 6-8 weeks. Another aspect of this position is working with employers and job seekers to ensure an effective job match. Job development duties require planned and cold calls to local businesses to establish a database of prospective employers and identify employment opportunities, as well as frequent contact with participants seeking employment. The key focus of the youth employment specialist is to provide life skills, employability skills and employment opportunities to individuals with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities
Summary of Functions:
Provide career guidance and instruction to youth with IEPs and 504 plans, including connecting them to post-secondary education, training, and employment opportunities. Build relationships with local employers to arrange job shadows, internships, and community-based work experiences. Teach workplace readiness, self-advocacy, and rights under ADA and IDEA, while linking students to community resources and adult service agencies.
Support individuals in meeting employer standards through mentoring, skill development, behavior management, and personal care assistance as needed. Develop and maintain employer contacts, identify job leads, match candidates to opportunities, and provide training in job-seeking skills such as resume writing, interviewing, and workplace success. Promote inclusive hiring, track job retention, and meet placement goals.
Serve as a liaison with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) for GIRESD transition students by coordinating orientations, gathering documentation, monitoring progress, and delivering vocational assessments and job club activities. Maintain participant safety, ensure confidentiality, comply with reporting requirements, and perform related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Possession of at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in education, social work, marketing or a related field. Individuals with an associate degree that possess substantial experience could be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
- Experience in teaching or working with people with disabilities, with community outreach and/or business relations.
- Must possess the ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech and be able to complete necessary reports.
- Travel is required for this position; therefore, eligible candidates must possess a valid driver’s license, and have an acceptable driving record as well as a reliable vehicle.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with diverse cultures. Knowledge and application of work models such as customized employment, supported employment, and competitive employment.
- Knowledge of community organizations and services available.
- Training relevant to rehabilitation, i.e. Confrontation Avoidance Techniques, First Aid, CPR, American Sign Language.
- Experience in outside sales, customer service positions or employment services.
- Ability to obtain the cooperation of employers, educators and others, and the ability to work with professional and technical personnel in a particular area of employment.
- Capacity to maintain favorable public relations.
Part Time - 26 hours weekly. Monday - Friday 9am - 3:30pm
Wage - $16.25 hour
What should you do to join us at MMI?
Go take a look at our website mmionline.com and learn a bit more about us and our mission. If you like what you see, apply here on Indeed or directly on our website.
MMI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO HIRE THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THIS JOB. POTENTIAL
CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED ON MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AS WELL AS THE
ABILITY TO PERFORM DUTIES OF THE POSITION. MMI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION EMPLOYER. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $16.25 per hour
Work Location: In person
