Position Details:

Full-time Days: Mainly M-F but some weekends may be required Hours: Vary but typically 8am - 4:30pm

Rate: $16.00/hr with opportunity for incentive pay

Purpose of the Position: The Employment Specialist will develop community placements; provide on-the-job training and support; and provide personal, social, and community services for persons referred. The Employment Specialist participates on the interdisciplinary team (IDT).

Essential Functions:

Job Development

• In coordination with the IDT, assist in, developing placement plans based upon referral parameters.
• Contact potential community employers following the Individualized Plan for employment.
• Maintain community employer contacts.
• Coordinate & assist participants in employment interviews. Determine and document employer requirements.
• Document progress in job searches.
• Meet with IDT to review and/or update placement plans a minimum of every 30 days until participant is employed.
• Once the program participant is placed, coordinate employment needs with the IDT. (i.e. employer expectations, transportation, equipment or uniform needs, fading plan, and remedial plan)

On-the-job training and support

• Provide on-the-job training for participants at various community work sites.
• Implement participant Individualized Plan of employment including specific skill training and adjustment to work environment. Develop adaptive methods to complete job tasks based on the participant’s needs.
• Implement fading plans.
• Complete required paperwork within designated time period (i.e., progress reports, log notes, employer evaluation, billable hours)
• Review progress with the IDT and employer.
• Participate in case reviews and goal planning.

Personal, Social and Community Service

• Provide services to facilitate participants’ independence in such areas as health maintenance, personal empowerment, and community involvement.
• Implement participants’ service plan as developed during the intake process by the IDT.
• Complete required paperwork within designated time periods. (i.e., monthly service reports, log notes)
• Review participants’ progress with IDT.

Community awareness

• Attend job development networking functions as scheduled.
• Conduct community presentations to promote VTC services as scheduled.
• Participate in VTC community events as scheduled.
• Communicate as necessary with referral agencies, special education teachers, community agencies, and employers.

External Situational Assessment (ESA) program.

• Complete ESA report

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in business, social services or related field is preferred. Experience in personnel/sales and marketing or working with people with developmental disabilities is a plus.

Communication Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English. Ability to write simple correspondence in English. Ability to remember oral or written instructions provided by others. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to Individuals served and other employees. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Interpersonal Skills: Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and management. Interact diplomatically with the public. Foster a stimulating, accepting learning environment.

Self-Management Skills: Perform effectively in environments with frequent workload changes and competing demands. Set priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out basic written or oral instructions. Ability to think through the consequences of a decision prior to making it. Ability to recognize an emergency situation and take appropriate action.

Computer Skills: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must have a valid driver’s license with an insurable record. Must have an insured vehicle available for use during the course of employment.

Other Skills and Abilities: Must be able to work before and after regular VTC business hours. Must meet and maintain Community Care Licensing criminal history criteria.