Under the direction, guidance, and with the collaboration of the Community Employment Administrator, the Job Retention Specialist (JRS) will be responsible to work with the office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), Employment and Community First (ECF), community businesses, families and caregivers, and the Project SEARCH staff in order to retain safe and lasting integrated, competitive employment opportunities for individuals served in the Breakthrough Supported Employment and Project SEARCH programs. All duties are performed pursuant to the knowledge that Breakthrough strives to be the model of excellence for adults with autism.

Performance Requirements

General Responsibilities

• Serves as liaison between Breakthrough, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), MAPS, persons supported and their families, and community businesses in retaining employment placements for all persons supported.
• Assists with monthly VR staffing as directed by the Community Employment Administrator.
• Completes and tracks all paperwork/documentation necessary for completion of evaluations, placement, stabilization, and closure of all VR cases as directed by the Community Employment Administrator.
• Attends VR and Supported Employment training as determined by the Community Employment Administrator in order to advance knowledge and program needs.
• Acts as field manager to all Job Coaches within the Employment and Community First, Supported Employment and Project SEARCH program.
• Attends weekly department meetings.
• Assists in developing and maintaining community employment assessment sites.
• Conducts employment assessments as assigned by the Community Employment Coordinator.
• Abides by and adheres to all policies, procedures, regulations, and guidelines for safety, quality assurance, and general corporate oversight of Breakthrough and the State of Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).
• Assists in the performance of other duties required by Breakthrough and/or the needs of persons supported and as assigned by the Community Employment Coordinator.
• Conducts Job Club for a minimum of two one-hour meetings per month.
• Accepts total accountability for work performed and always with honesty and integrity.

Physical Demands

• Must have good physical and mental health and be able to work in a fast-paced work environment.
• Must be able to deal with stress and adjust to a flexible work schedule.
• Must be physically able to be trained in Professional Crisis Management (PCM).

Special Demands

• Job Retention Specialists must have understanding, patience, and tact in dealing with persons supported, their families or advocates, and other agencies involved in providing supports; the ability to maintain good working relationships with staff and with contacts from other agencies or entities.
• Must be able to prioritize work tasks under the general direction of the Community Employment Administrator and be able to work with or without close personal supervision.

Qualifications

• Masters or Bachelors degree preferred from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, therapeutic recreation, special education, or a closely related field.
• Written documentation of one year of successful experience in employment counseling, job placement, job coaching, or public vocational rehabilitation program.
• Other preferred experience: supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders and/or developmental disabilities, at least one year job coaching experience, and past supervisory experience.
• Must have a good driving record and reliable transportation.

Job Knowledge

• The Job Retention Specialist position requires a working knowledge of Medicaid guidelines and the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Division of Rehabilitation Services policies and procedures.
• The JRS should have a working knowledge of the support needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders as well as the skills and training necessary to implement, oversee, and troubleshoot structured interventions to meet these needs.

Employment Variables

• A change of schedule hours may be required to meet the needs of the persons supported, a change of on-call responsibilities, crisis response, etc. Constant contact is required with persons supported, their families, and other support agencies.
• Some travel required.
• Secondary employment is prohibited unless approved by the Executive Director. Secondary employment approval may be rescinded at any time.

Please note: Many of the people we support have essential jobs. Some of the job sites include hospitals, retailers, and warehouse settings (this list is not exclusive). Job coaches provide in-person support to people that are in these roles, the job retention specialist supervises job coaches and will be required to provide in-person support as needed in various environments.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27,000.00 - $35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: Multiple locations