Employment Support Specialist

***Effective October 15, 2021, all employees/contractors/interns/volunteers are required to provide our office with proof of COVID vaccination.***

At COMHAR, it’s our mission to provide health and human services that empower individuals, families, and communities to live healthier, self-determined lives. COMHAR, Inc’s Intellectual and Developmental Disability Employment Program supports individuals to reach their fullest potential and live happy, productive lives through meaningful work and paid employment in their community.

As COMHAR re-establishes Employment Services, we are looking for an Employment Support Specialist to manage the supports each client receives through their employment journeys. Through collaboration and a community focused approach, this position will provide individualized opportunities for adults with disabilities that enhance their employment skills, identify career interests, maintain work, while developing new learning and employment opportunities. This position seeks a candidate who is flexible and brings enthusiasm to the growing team and program.

The Employment Support Specialist will work within COMHAR’s Day Program and with businesses and employers in the community to bring awareness to the benefits of competitive integrated employment. This position will deliver quality services that include on the job training, job development, assessments that promote independence, community integration and a person-centered approach.

The ID Day Program gives individuals the skills necessary to pursue vocational/employment interests in both facility and community-based settings. Services are structured to simulate an actual work environment and focus on the development of skills that teach appropriate work behaviors and attitudes fostering independence, growth, and self-fulfillment. Individuals are compensated for marketable products which they produce, or for services which they perform while engaged in their training.

Salary:

$18.00 - $19.00 / hourly

Shift:

40 hours per week which may include weekends and/or evenings with observed holidays off per COMHAR policy.

Needs:

2 Openings for Position

The ID-Day Program offers services that are provided in both facility and community-based settings for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with intensive physical health needs (wheelchair, tube feeding, catheters, colostomy). Supports are offered through a variety of activities that develop life, socialization, motor, and adaptive skill sets.

The ID-Day Program is looking for candidates who are looking to make a difference in the lives of persons who are intellectually disabled. The Employment Supports Specialist help coordinate and manage training and supports in line with each consumer's existing needs and targeted service goals. Their responsibilities include planning and overseeing consumer activities, implementing program policies, and developing Individual Service Plan (ISP) for the consumer. Our ideal applicant will have a strong background composing and updating individual service plans of persons with intellectual disabilities.

COMHAR offers three different training programs to meet individuals’ varying level of need and setting preference. Programs include developmental training to teach basic skills, facility-based vocational training, community-based instruction, and supported employment.

Responsibilities:

• Provide consumers with on-the-job training, counseling, resources, job development and supports that are person-centered, promotes independence, encourages community participation, and prioritizes paid employment.
• Deliver services in a manner that actively engages and challenges each individual to increase their independent functioning, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and towards more independent adult living.
• Create opportunities and supports for assessments, internships, or paid employment aimed at helping individuals fine-tune their employment interests and skills.
• Provide on the job training and supports to individuals of a nature, intensity and duration that enhances success, integration, and independence on the job. Create a deliberate plan fade support that balances risk against gain.
• Work cooperatively with COMHAR staff, supervisors, consumers, team members associated with the consumers enrolled in the Employment program, and employers and in a manner that is consistent with core values.
• Work cooperatively with funding sources and referral agencies in a manner that is consistent with core values.
• Actively participate in and contribute to activities/projects/teams that serve the broader unit, agency, and community needs or interests.
• Seek out and participate in training and professional development to satisfy requirements to heighten the quality of services, build and strengthen business and community resources, and prioritizes Employment First.
• Follow all policies and procedures established by COMHAR, federal, state and county laws and funding entities.
• Maintain an active exchange with supervisor or issues and/or needs. Offer a deliberate responsiveness to supervisory directives, instruction, and feedback. Observe the unit’s and the agency’s chain of command.
• Maintain professional and on-going relationships with case managers, local, state, and federal funders.
• Conduct and coordinate service provision and documentation in a timely, cost-conscious manner.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear others and accurately interpret speech and sounds. Frequently required to stand; walk; climb and descend stairs. Required to use hands and arms to reach, hold and carry objects. Required to sit; stand, maintain balance; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception & ability to adjust optical focus for reading, driving, general observation and for all safety needs.

Full Time Employees are eligible for generous benefit options including but not limited to:

• Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance with plan options to fit your needs
• Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off (Holiday, sick, PTO, vacation)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional supplemental voluntary insurance options including Disability, Accident and Pet Insurance

Requirements:

Level 1:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be ACRE certified within 60 days of hire.
• Experience w individuals having a developmental, intellectual disability or commensurate experience is preferred
• Must maintain valid driver's license, insurance, and have access to own vehicle.
• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and be proficient with standard office equipment.
• Must be flexible in scheduling including weekends and holidays.
• Must be available to perform other duties as assigned or needed.
• Position requires occasional lifting on a average weight of 50 pounds

Level 2:

• Bachelor's degree
• Must be ACRE Certified
• Successful completion of Adult Autism Waiver PA state trainings- Goal Attainment Scaling, Skill Building, Spectrum 2.0
• Experience w individuals having a developmental, intellectual disability or commensurate experience is preferred
• Must maintain valid driver's license, insurance, and have access to own vehicle.
• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and be proficient with standard office equipment.
• Must be flexible in scheduling including weekends and holidays.
• Must be available to perform other duties as assigned or needed.
• Position requires occasional lifting on a average weight of 50 pounds

Skills Required:

Must have excellent verbal/written communication skills and work well with people; good, creative problem solving skills; excellent clinical nursing skills including assessment, knowledge of behavioral health systems, community resources; ability to work independently, and be flexible/adaptive in handling changing priorities in a fast paced work environment; computer skills required.

***Effective October 15, 2021, all employees/contractors/interns/volunteers are required to provide our office with proof of COVID vaccination.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace. COMHAR, Inc. is a not-for-profit community based health and human service organization founded in 1975. We do not discriminate in services or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, past or present receipt of disability-related services or supports, marital status, veteran status, or any other class of persons protected by federal, state or local law.