The Employment Specialist I, under the supervision of the Manager of Vocational Services, will assist in the coordination of program services for consumers referred by OVR, school districts and other social service agencies. This position will assist in preparing consumers for successful competitive employment and self-sufficiency by assisting in the role of job developer, implementer and maintainer of contracts for successful placement, training, assessments and follow-up services for people with disabilities. In addition, the Employment Specialist I, may be requested to assist with Transition School in the absence of another teacher. This may include assisting with transportation, teaching classes and general duties helping with the program.
Employment Specialist duties:
1. Assists in providing, job development, marketing, job coaching and follow-up to create competitive job placements and ensure job retention.
A. Intakes / general duties:
a. Complete OVR mandated certification through ACRE (Associate of
Rehabilitation Educators) program’s National Certificate of Achievement in Employment within a year of hire date.
b. Enter all of client’s information (name, address, disability, counselor, services, etc.) from CWDS / OVR referrals sheets in to UDS database immediately to within 72 hours of completion.
c. Assists with all client intakes for assessments, job coaching, mentoring as well as just providing general information about all UDS services in person as well as over the phone. Enter all intake information immediately to within 72 hours of completion in to CWDS database
d. Return all email, phone calls and texts within a 24-48 hour period.
B. Assessment Duties:
a. Schedules, performs, and write’s up custom work based assessments to determine if individuals are able to work competitively or return to work. Completes all evaluations paperwork fairly and accurately. Enters paperwork in CWDS database immediately after assessment to within a 72 hour period. They may or may not attend review meetings. Performs minimum of 2 assessments per week.
C. Job Development Duties:
a. Accurately assesses job applicant’s current job skills and marketability in the competitive workforce environment.
b. Provides career counseling to assist individuals in selecting and pursuing an appropriate career based on skill level to obtain and maintain appropriate employment.
c. Creates personal materials including resumes, cover letters, data sheets, email accounts and other materials for participants seeking employment.
d. Researches job leads for each participant such as internet / job boards, bulletin boards, civil service listings, PA Job Center, networking contacts, local Penny savers, Craigslist, checking individual businesses using websites, etc. Also including calling lists of potential employers to research job openings and to market program participants. 2-5 leads per person, per week should be recorded in the UDS database. 10 people should be placed per fiscal year. Take participants to interviews and educate employers about their disabilities.
e. Assists participants during application and interviewing activities and with initial paperwork and related activities during the first few days on the job as requested by client. Ensures that participants have proper attire and transportation to and from work. Works with participants to gather any necessary needed items including, but not limited to: learning transportation (i.e. bus routes), employment authorized identifications, and any banking direct deposit information/paystub access.
D. Job Coaching Duties:
Provides on-the-job training for individuals who need assistance in learning job tasks and ensures a competitive working pace for employers. This includes working when they work. This may be during the day at night, on the weekends or just the next day. Flextime is provided when appropriate.
a. Obtain participants work schedules and enter in to UDS database or CWDS database. Perform weekly / bi weekly check in with employed clients and employers. This can consist of emails, phone calls, texts and in person depending on the situation.
b. Enters all case notes, billing notes, phone calls, assessments, emails, etc. in to the UDS database immediately to within 72 hours of completion. Bills a minimum of 4 hours per day in to the UDS database.
c. Demonstrates teamwork with co-workers in job development and job coaching.
d. Completes all necessary responsibilities required by OVR performance-based job coaching contracts. Example recoding notes, entering new hire info in CWDS, entering days worked and ,monitoring phase days and hours
e. Educates employers about people’s disabilities, searches and develops leads for new employers who would be willing to provide assessments at their location.
f. Assist with other OVR / PETS sponsored programs as requested.
g. Empowers each participant to the maximum extent of their capabilities with a goal of teaching people to be successful on their own and then assisting only when needed.
h. Looks out for potential employment issues by assessing client and job compatibility as well as educating employers about different disabilities. Ensures that participants are accurately compatible with position of choice and has difficult conversations when warranted in discussing skill set and compatibility w/ positions. Offers suggestions on other positions that the participant may be best suited for and pursues.
i. Keeps the clients best interests in mind at all times, remembers we are helping them to achieve their dreams not ours. Advocates for them with family, friends, counselors, etc and most importantly on the job.
Substitute Instructor Duties:
2. Support if needed specific pre-vocational / independent living classes to promote consumer independence and self-sufficiency.
Teaches specific pre-vocational and independent living classes as needed to help students reach vocational, personal and life goals that will establish
self-sufficiency and promote independence. Uses multiple materials / sources to teach such as books, DVDs, YouTube, educational handouts, games, etc.
Educates students using techniques that maintain the interest and enthusiasm of each student.
Provides assistance with independent living activities to promote independence and self-sufficiency.
Interacts with school districts (teachers, counselors, social workers, etc.) and families appropriately and as needed.
Attends and/or conducts meetings to maintain continuity before and during the individual’s transitional phase as requested.
Maintains records and paperwork (scholarship forms & consent to release) related to individual consumer to ensure program compliance and efficiency.
Provides documentation as needed related to individual consumer to ensure program compliance and efficiency.
3. Adheres to agency-wide and department-specific policies and work rules to ensure efficiency and compliance.
a) Complies with all OSHA and safety regulations.
b) Complies with all agency/department policies and procedures.
c) Maintains acceptable attendance standards per agency policy.
d) Completes all mandatory training as required or assigned.
4. Demonstrates commitment to customer service in order to fulfill agency mission and values through the following:
a) Responds to all verbal and written inquiries from participants, family members, outside contacts and other UDS staff members in a prompt and courteous manner.
b) Displays professional decorum in all interactions.
c) Manages information in a confidential and professional manner.
d) Completes additional tasks as required or assigned.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree in education, rehabilitation, psychology, social work, counseling or other social/human service preferred. Associates Degree accepted with 3 years relevant and related experience.
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in teaching, counseling or working with individuals with disabilities strongly preferred.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
