Community Employment Specialist

This is a Full-time position based out of our Red Oak Day Services building in Red Oak, IA. This position will help to provide services to the four county area. It is a 40 hour per week position. The position is eligible for the $4000 hiring bonus.

Community Employment Specialist

I. This position is directly responsible to the Community Employment Team Leader.

II. This position is responsible for the completion of Community Employment-related duties. These duties include, but may not be limited to job development, job placement, job coaching, the teaching of job readiness skills, and the completion of Workplace Readiness Assessments.

III. Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Vocational Assessments
1) As requested, assess individuals participating in Workplace Readiness Assessments.
2) For Workplace Readiness Assessments, complete the following:
a) At the intake planning meeting, prepare a written plan of evaluation outlining interests and choices of the individuals and action steps to be taken, within the Inter-Disciplinary Team meeting notes.
b) Develop job exploration, job shadowing, and on-site assessment sites in the communities where the individuals have expressed a desire to work or to secure further training.
c) Provide 100% supervision and support to individuals while being assessed on community job opportunities. Complete a timesheet with stated wage for payment through NPI for individuals involved in on-site assessment.
d) Complete all forms required for the Workplace Readiness Assessment.
e) Complete a final report summarizing the results of the assessment and addressing the support needs of the individual in order to be successful in community employment or additional training.
f) Conduct an exit staffing.
g) Complete case activity logs to document activities pursued with the individual.
h) Complete all required paperwork as required for each service.
3) Responsible for maintenance of all records and documentation required for accreditation standards.
4) Responsible for maintaining CARF accreditation.

B. Community Employment
1) Implement marketing strategies for Community-Based Employment services.
2) Complete job development based on inclusion, commensurate wages and benefits, consumer choice, and employer needs.
3) Maintain regular contact with community employers.
4) Oversee completion of all placement forms and documentation of on-going performance.
5) Make arrangements for job coaching for individuals placed.
6) Work with agency Program Managers or outside professionals, i.e. Community Care Coordinators, IVRS Counselors, School Personnel, etc., in developing and coordinating any other services that the consumer might need.
7) Act as liaison with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Medicaid Community Care Coordinators, DHS Social Workers, and local school systems. Coordinate referrals from these referral sources.
8) Responsible for maintenance of all records and documentation using the proper forms as they relate to established procedures and accreditation standards.
9) Coordinate with other Community-Based Employment staff to ensure completion of placements and all duties associated with placements.
10) Responsible for maintaining CARF accreditation.

C. Other duties and job responsibilities:
1) As requested, assist with marketing and public relations activities for the agency.
2) Participate in scheduling and facilitating planning meetings for enrollment in all community-employment related services. Complete intake paperwork for all referrals. Coordinate the implementation of service delivery directly or provide the services.
3) Ensure that funding approvals are in place prior to the initiation of services. Be familiar with the varied funding sources.
4) All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

IV. Essential Functions:
1) Nishna Productions, Inc. exists to serve the needs of persons with disabilities. Frequently, these persons have behavior disorders, which may result in the display of aggressive outbursts of a physical nature. The individual may or may not be able to control these episodes. All employees must be willing to participate in working with and training of behavior problem individuals. The behavioral problems may include both verbal and physically aggressive individuals.
2) Provide quality services. These quality services must meet agency standards. These services include all services under the IVRS Menu of Services – but primarily involve job development, job placement, job coaching, vocational evaluation, and work performance and behavior training.
3) Provide a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere for all individuals receiving services.
4) Exhibit competent verbal and written communication skills.
5) Be able to drive from one location to another.
6) Exhibit the ability to represent the agency in a professional manner in the community.
7) Advocate for individuals with disabilities to employers.
8) Market agency services to the community.
9) Must be willing to work whatever hours needed to provide services the agency has agreed to. These may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
10) Complete all required paperwork.
11) Provide job coaching on community job sites.
12) Must complete certification training required by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Iowa Department of Human Services within six months of employment.
13) Ability to complete electronic documentation.
14) All staff/volunteers of Nishna Productions, Inc. will comply with state and federal regulations regarding HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
15) Every employee/volunteer of Nishna Productions, Inc. is on a need to know basis regarding the Protected Health Information (PHI) of the individuals they serve. Therefore, a security clearance level is assigned for each job description and those security levels are allowed access only to the information required to complete the duties in each position.
o Level One allows the least access and is intended for truck drivers, maintenance staff, redemption center workers, and volunteers.
o Level Two is for direct care workers including; floaters/substitutes, SCLS, Program Instructors, Day-Hab aids, Vocational Trainers, lead staff, and 1:1 staff.
o Level Three includes the office support staff.
o Level Four is for Team Leaders, supervisors, and Work Center Supervisors.
o Level Five is the security clearance given to Program Managers.
o Level Six allows access to all PHI and includes Directors/Administrators, Quality Assurance, and IT staff.
o Temporary clearance for PHI access can be given if staff require the access to complete extra assigned duties (i.e. filling in for another department). Maintenance personnel are given permanent access to areas where PHI is stored that they may need to enter in order to complete their duties.
V. Qualifications/Requirements:
1) Individuals “must not have or be a carrier” of a serious infectious or communicable disease, such as but not limited to, incurable, fatal, or debilitating diseases, which cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. A current example would include, but not be limited to, tuberculosis. Determination of the existence of a serious disease is to be made by the proper medical authorities.
2) Bachelor’s Degree in a human services or marketing field.
3) Prefer: Previous experience working with people with disabilities in an employment setting/work situation.
4) Maintain insurability with agency vehicle insurance carrier.
5) Must possess leadership skills.
6) Must be willing to work with individuals, who have behavioral disorders, which may result in the display of an aggressive outburst of a physical nature.
7) Must have the ability and desire to work with other employees as a team.
8) Must have good verbal and written communication skills.
9) Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Iowa Chauffeur’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record.
10) Must exercise sound judgment when the situation requires immediate decision-making when dealing with staff or individuals receiving services.
11) Must not have been legally convicted of any type of assault, abuse, or bodily injury.
12) A professional and personal image and attitude is needed to represent those served and the agency itself.
13) All agency staff are required to participate and cooperate with agency investigations. Confidentiality will be respected.
14) High human relations skills - The ability to meet and deal effectively with people and the public.
15) Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and early mornings.
16) Be able to understand, relate to, and be compassionate to individuals with disabilities.
17) Must be organized and willing to work under pressure to meet deadlines for completion of community employment-related services.
18) Must exhibit keen observation skills for completion of task analysis and vocational assessments.
19) Must successfully complete the state-required CESP exam and become a Certified Employment Support Professional.

VI. Physical Requirements:
1) Must be able to travel from place to place, up to 70 miles.
2) Must be able to enter and exit facilities that may or may not be accessible to everyone.
3) Must be able to carry necessary paper and supplies to perform functions.
4) Must be able to provide physical care necessary to individuals when performing job coaching duties.
5) Ability to physically assist an individual to regain his balance or to transfer from a sitting, standing or prone position.