Workforce Development Specialist II

Job Summary:

The Workforce Development Specialist II (WDSII) is a professional in the Employment Network (EN) who assists beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with returning to the workforce through the federal Ticket to Work (TTW) program.

A successful WDSII develops strategic relationships with stakeholders, advocates with potential employers to facilitate job matches, engages in outreach events, communicates professionally in oral and written form, conducts compelling presentations, and manages time effectively. The ideal candidate is a teacher in practice, a cheerleader in spirit, and a coach at heart, demonstrating a passion to support people with disabilities (PWD) to success in the workforce.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manage the TTW caseload with professionalism and appropriateness, providing efficient and timely support to beneficiaries through job placement assistance and ongoing support.
2. Conduct intakes and assessments by procedure to implement services in a timely manner.
3. Engage in job development, search, placement, and coaching to optimize outcomes for beneficiaries served through the TTW program. Develop Individual Work Plans (IWP), job development reports, job coaching reports, and other reports required to document progress by procedure.
4. Assist participants in assessing needs, developing employment goals, screening job postings, and providing ongoing job support. Serve participants in all pre and post - employment support capacities ensuring successful outcomes for TTW program participants.
5. Submit pay stubs for beneficiaries in a timely manner to ensure reimbursement.
6. Successfully develop strategic partnerships with businesses and employment stakeholders that advance employment opportunities for PWD across the service region.
7. Use various job boards, job fairs and in-person networking to develop employment opportunities for program participants.
8. Document all job development and beneficiary engagement activities. Track caseload movement weekly by procedure, recording all activities in the designated secure system. Documentation must be clear, concise, and factual, while maintaining a tone that is professional and unbiased.
9. Provide periodic support as needed to the Workforce Development (WD) team to monitor and manage participants who are receiving vocational rehabilitation services through the Pathways to Success (PTS) and Job Placement Assistance and Stabilization Services (JPASS) programs, as needed.
10. Continuously strive to enhance knowledge and skills that support the success of WD programs and participant outcomes.
11. Collaborate with the Workforce Development Director to create and implement training programs that advance the field for vocational rehabilitation professionals.
12. Participate in education and advocacy events to promote inclusion for PWD. Engage with the community at outreach events, representing the Lighthouse with superior polish and professionalism.
13. Foster a team environment with effective communication and a coordinated approach to providing services. Follow all Lighthouse policies and standard operating procedures.
14. Maintain confidentiality of information and material at the highest standards.
15. Maintain flexible work hours to support successful employment outcomes for all participants served.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in education, social services, vocational rehabilitation, or related field required. Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) credential required.
2. Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of disability and factors that affect successful employment. Ability to manage a caseload and flex time to achieve all weekly job tasks. Ability to effectively assess consumer strengths and weaknesses to determine a plan for overcoming challenges to employment stability. Effective teaching skills with ability to assess and adjust coaching to motivate and optimize progress. Strong troubleshooting skills. Superior oral and written communication skills. Ability to develop and perform professional presentations. Superior skills for managing time and multiple tasks. Proficient in the use of MS Office tools. Salesforce knowledge preferred.
3. Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of work experience supporting individuals with disabilities in an employment-related field required. Experience completing assessments and drafting professional reports preferred. Stable employment history required.
4. Supervisory Responsibility: N/A
5. Physical: High energy and stamina. Able to effectively perform the specified duties. Ability to travel throughout the region to provide services across southeast Louisiana. Have the physical ability to perform tasks requiring bending, lifting, stooping, reaching overhead, and other tasks. Ability to stand/sit for prolonged periods while demonstrating or modeling training techniques with adaptation as needed.
6. Personality: Self-motivated, enthusiastic, confident, dependable, well-organized, flexible, able to motivate others, personable, well spoken, patient, punctual, adaptive, creative, confident, and a positive thinker. Able to work both independently and as a collaborator. Capable of preserving confidential and sensitive information.
7. Work Conditions: Office and community setting with occasional travel within the service region. Must be adaptable to a variety of work environments.
8. Work Schedule: 40 hours per week. May require an occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work to support unique consumer needs. Weekly work schedule may fluctuate.
9. Pre-employment testing required: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results from background check and drug testing. Must also meet federal suitability requirements.
10. Must have a Valid driver's license with a safe driving record. Must have a reliable vehicle and be able to drive long distances.

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties performed. The incumbent in this position will perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operation of the Division/Department, upon request by the employee's supervisor.

Accomplishments in these areas of responsibility will be the basis of the employee's evaluation, continuation of employment and change in compensation.

At Lighthouse Louisiana, we are committed to the principles of equal employment. We comply with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. We are dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay (and other compensation), termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. In addition, we take affirmative actions to recruit, hire, promote and retain veterans.

Salary Description

27.00-29.00

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