Employment Manager

In their role, managers will support Employment Specialists and Coordinators to take tangible action every day to work towards one or more individual's WHY and Live their Best Life with as much independence as possible. Managers support staff to make a difference in the lives of the people they support in building strong relationships, trust, and successful participation in their community.

Position Summary:

As the Employment Manager, you will support our mission through six key activities:

1. Supervision-Build relationships with staff utilizing the coach approach techniques to successfully encourage, train and monitor staff outcomes. This includes oversight of staff's daily responsibilities to support people with disabilities' meaningful activities. Monitoring systems to ensure staff use Spectrum's documentation, payroll and billing systems timely, accurately and consistently is necessary to provide quality programming.
2. Case Management-Communicate with supported individuals before, during and after their Person-Centered Plan (PCP)/Individual Employment Plan (IEP) meeting to assist the person in establishing their goals, to review for goal progress and update/add/delete goals as appropriate, to include employment goals. Attend PCP/IEP meetings and complete all necessary documents in the electronic database for the Director to review and approve. Maintain relationships with the supported individuals and their team members, including DORS, Coordinators of Community Services (CCSs), families, residential providers, support brokers, etc., while helping the individual to advocate for the individual's best life.
3. Goal Setting/Implementation- Work with staff to schedule activities that pertain to employment goals in people's calendars by giving input, with a focus on achievement of goals. Ensure Employment Specialists/Coordinators are aware of and actively working on goals throughout the year by reviewing quarterly for progress.
4. Staff Coordination- Hire quality employees by screening resumes and interviewing candidates using objective hiring methods. Introduce new employees to Spectrum's culture, and ensure they have the tools and information needed to become a productive member of the team. Managing staff coverage of individual's learning objectives and implementation of goals, work schedules, transportation and communication with employer. Being prepared to provide direct support as needed for back-up. Monitoring staff's overall training certification/recertification and person-centered training needs of individuals ensures the staff is/remains qualified to work with each person they are scheduled to support.
5. Employment- Manage employment services for individuals with disabilities and the placement services for local employers to match job seekers with potential job opportunities to ensure that people with disabilities have an opportunity to obtain paid work.
6. Quality Management- By identifying areas in which programs are not meeting agency standards, and reporting the issue/concern to Directors, program quality will be ensured. Taking action and following through until the standard is met is essential. This includes review and approval of vehicle usage, mileage, overtime, facility condition, electronic case management documentation and payroll processes.

Core Responsibilities

You will demonstrate sound working knowledge of Spectrum's mission, policies, practices and systems and mentor staff to demonstrate their working knowledge of the same.

You will lead a team of employment staff in meeting their core responsibilities, while using the coach approach techniques, to work towards the achievement of each person's most meaningful life, to include their employment goals.

You will provide case management for Supported Individuals; to include a working knowledge of Person-Centered Plans, MANDT procedures, DDA/DORS employment services, other applicable funding requirements, self-advocacy techniques and Spectrum's focus on the WHY.

You will oversee staff to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to obtain paid employment by:

• Developing and researching job opportunities to identify a wide range of employment opportunities for Supported Individuals. o Communicating with business representatives to identify business needs and potential job opportunities for Spectrum job seekers. o Determining if an employer is a good fit for a Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE) and establishing a partnership as appropriate for youth job sites.
• Identifying work opportunities through standard job development activities in the community, as well as expanding opportunities at existing job sites.
• Conducting informational interviews, job tours and job analyses to create truly customized employment solutions for individuals with disabilities. o Resolving any grievances or ongoing business concerns with employees placed in their company by Spectrum.
• Following up with the business to ensure client is a good fit for the job. o Building and maintaining employer relationships. o Coordinate transportation and transportation training for individuals as needed.
• Providing job coaching support at employer sites as needed.

You will partner with the Community Engagement Manager and their staff to develop and schedule meaningful community activities, with an emphasis on activities that lead supported individuals to obtain individualized, integrated jobs in the community.

• Work with the nonprofit/business community to identify volunteer opportunities.
• Monitor the development of the Job Profile Summaries and the Community Based Assessments and give feedback as needed.

You will ensure staff provide individuals with hands-on training, assistance and support with basic housekeeping tasks/life skills so that individuals will maintain a safe and healthy environment with the highest level of independence possible.

You will handle supervisory functions such as coaching, corrective action plans and follow through on commitments to ensure the smooth operation of daily procedures.

You will ensure that both individuals and employees are safe, seen and heard so they are able to achieve their personal and professional best by regularly monitoring quality programming standards. This includes the responsibility to ensure proper staffing ratios are implemented at all times.

You will inspire a welcoming attitude by recognizing the dignity of all people and treating them with respect regardless of their role in the organization.

Position Requirements and Skills:

• Professionalism: Maintaining a professional atmosphere by modeling positive behavior which includes but is not limited to being on time, dressing appropriately, addressing others with respect and meeting deadlines is necessary.
• Communication: Close contact with both staff and leadership sets the tone of the workplace. Informing staff of organizational changes, rule changes and strategic decisions made by leadership, links leadership and staff. In identifying opportunities for improved efficiency, it is management's responsibility to make leadership aware of issues in the workplace. It is critical to address issues promptly and transparently, in a respectful and professional manner, while reminding employees of the company policy and why it is important. Collaborating and communicating amongst peers in a productive way is key to achieving successful outcomes.
• Organization/Time Management: Effectively manage time, prioritizing tasks that make the most impact by planning schedules to meet daily, weekly and monthly goals will lead to successful outcomes.
• Ability to remain calm and composed: It is important to be able to remain calm and think through solutions especially in stressful moments.
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: When issues arise, it is the management's responsibility to address them, so the problem does not interrupt the smooth operation of the agency. Following incidents, by debriefing, management can learn from situations and make changes to prevent repeat occurrences.
• Dependability: Being accountable to deadlines, commitments and overall work expectations is critical to establishing trust. Being consistently available/responsive to staff and leadership will aid in meeting both individual and operational needs.
• Financial/Program Integrity: Using agency monitoring systems will ensure standards are met in order to monitor staff work and documentation with the necessary care to prevent fraud, waste and abuse from taking place.
  • Billing: Operating with transparency and accountability to ensure that monthly billing documentation is submitted timely and accurately at all staff levels is required.
  • Purchasing: Following policy and procedures for ensuring that funds spent on behalf of Spectrum support, Inc. are spent in a fiscally responsible manner. Providing a reconciliation of BILL card purchases each month and monitoring staff usage for purchases with a legitimate business need and appropriate documentation/description of the expense.
• Culture of Integrity: Actions and decisions should be based on sound and ethical principles to uphold Spectrum's values and promote a culture of integrity. Following through on commitments, while acknowledging missed deadlines or mistakes and learning from them is key to success. Sound judgment, dependability and honesty demonstrate commitment to Spectrum's mission.
• Health and Safety: Proactively managing potential threats to health and safety by identifying, prioritizing and controlling workplace safety issues quickly will prevent/minimize issues. Reporting incidents/encouraging the reporting of incidents, investigating root causes and assigning or following through on corrective actions as needed ensures health and safety remains a priority.

Qualifications:

• Education: BA Degree in Psychology, Special Education, or related field . High School degree or GED is required. Ability to obtain CESP certification within 1 year of starting in the position.
• Experience: Supervisory experience preferred. Minimum of three years' experience working with persons with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness required.
• Technology Skills: Must have systems access skills, basic computer skills and competency in Microsoft Word at a minimum.
• Communication Skills: Basic written and verbal English skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Prerequisites:

• Valid driver's license: with no more than 2 points.
• Reliable vehicle: with adequate insurance.
• Two employment recommendations.
• Ability to pass background check and List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) check.

Computer Skills Must have basic computer skills and competency in Microsoft Word at a minimum.

Requirements:

Must have a valid Driver's License with no more than 2 points.

Pass a CJIS background check with fingerprinting

Reliable transportation

Willingness to work a flexible schedule as needed