Employment Specialist

Our Vision

The elimination of barriers that restrict individuals with disabilities from community inclusion.

We strive to eliminate all barriers that keep our clients from being a part of their community.

Our Mission

To provide services and supports to people with barriers to attain self-direction, inclusion, personal fulfillment, and productivity in all life areas.

At DSI, we provide these services and supports to our clients to help them attain self-direction, inclusion and personal fulfillment and be productive in all areas of life.

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Employment Specialist

DIVISION: Director of Employment Services

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

STATUS: Full Time

PURPOSE:

The primary function of the Employment Consultant is to assist persons to choose, obtain and retain integrated employment in the community. The Employment Consultant will initially assess, job develop, train and provide ongoing support for individuals with disabilities seeking employment.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

1. Knows and understands the DSI mission “To provide services and supports to people with barriers to attain self-direction, inclusion, personal fulfillment, and productivity in all life areas”
2. Review and assess all collateral information concerning strengths, abilities, barriers, limitations, and vocational preferences of the person served
3. Be knowledgeable of funding sources for employment services such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) and others as needed
4. Be aware of and develop relationships with outside services and make appropriate referrals based on identified needs of the person served
5. Coordinate and facilitate person centered planning and utilize person centered strategies to develop an employment plan to meet the goals of the person served
6. Coordinate and participate in appropriate Discovery activities with the person served such as job shadows, informational interviews and work experiences in the community to explore their talents, interests, preferences, capabilities, ideal work environments, challenges, support strategies, and informed choice to identify an appropriate vocational goal
7. Provide motivation, support and consultation as necessary to enhance job readiness for people seeking employment
8. Teach and/or enhance job seeking methods and techniques, following funding source guidelines
9. Provide assessment, job development, on-site and/or off-site support and coaching as needed to persons served
10. Actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings with person served and their identified support team members (including but not limited to: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Case Managers, Behavior Consultants, therapists, guardians, family members, school staff)
11. Identify labor and employer needs utilizing job development activities, which may include employer contacts, job restructuring, needed accommodations, negotiating duties and compensation
12. Utilize job and cultural analysis to determine job requirements and match those needs with personal interests and abilities of qualified candidates
13. Coordinate or provide on-going consultation, guidance and follow-up support as required by employee/employer needs
14. Promote and facilitate integration of the employee into work and community culture through natural supports related to advocacy, positive co-worker relationships, and formation of linkages with community resources and services
15. Provide or coordinate ongoing long-term services reflecting the needs and desires of the person served
16. Market and educate employers about available candidates and services provided by DSI, including work incentive/benefit programs
17. Initiate process to secure performance/satisfaction feedback from employee/employer and funding source and utilize results to improve services
18. Maintain detailed accurate records, progress notes and required documentation utilizing complete sentences, proper grammar, and professional tone in compliance with agency and funding source guidelines and ensure all documentation is up-to-date in electronic record
19. Complete and submit appropriate billing as required to funding source
20. Work individually and/or with support team members to make efficient use of time and generate required levels of production
21. Must be physically capable of performing diverse job functions to assist persons served in learning their job duties. Such physical acts include, but are not limited to: standing for long periods of time, bending, mopping, sweeping, pushing, lifting items of various weights, and possess manual dexterity skills to operate various tools and equipment. In addition, must be able to generate case documentation and communicate on the telephone.
22. Provide Pre-ETS or direct service as needed
23. Additional duties as requested

ESSENTIAL JOB QUALITIES:

• Maintain professional behaviors and appearance: dress appropriately, be on time for all appointments and follow through on commitments
• Attend/request related training as authorized
• Promote and display positive attitude and an overall commitment to the agency’s mission, values and vision
• Ability to work flexible, non-standard hours, including occasional evening and weekends

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School diploma or GED required
2. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred with 2 years-experience in the field is preferred. Each employee must attend and participate in staff meetings and training sessions regularly and maintain all required internal and external requirements and certifications.
3. Previous experience in employment services, marketing, working with people with disabilities desired
4. A valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance and acceptable motor vehicle report is required. In this position, reliable transportation is also required.
5. Must possess or be able to obtain CPR, CPI and First Aid certification annually and perform as necessary

The above statements reflect general functions of this job and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements inherent to the job. The immediate supervisor may elaborate on the above list if the duties come within the employee's realm of responsibility.

Benefits:

- FT/PT/PRN shifts

- Flexible hours

- Paid time off for eligible employees

- Paid holiday time for eligible employees

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees

- Referral bonuses

- Staff recognition programs