Description

The Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for supporting participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other barriers to employment in developing individualized vocational rehabilitation plans to become ready to enter the workforce. They will assist participants in maintaining, acquiring, and enhancing skills to participate in work related activities. The Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for being a liaison with appropriate referral sources, using independent judgement in implementation of the participants plan and delivering a broad range of workforce services to employers, job seekers, the general public and other customers. This position will also focus on creating community job partnerships to enable our participants to transition into community-based employment with a variety of employers.

Work Areas:  

The Workforce Development Specialist will work with all aspects of our programs to ensure that our participants have individualized plans to support their needs. The Workforce Development Specialist will have and the opportunity and be expected to work with participants in our adult services (Vocational Skills Development Lab, Facility Based, Small Group Employment, Supported Employment) as well as our Youth and Transition services.

Vocational Skills Development Lab: responsible for assessment and ongoing training of new participants, current participants, and future opportunities with the Youth and Transition Program

Adult Services: responsible for working with our current participants to transition from their current level of employment into new opportunities (small group employment, supported employment etc.) Responsible to work with participants on job development, job finding, placement, coaching and support to ensure success in new role. Act as program specialist for participants who have transitioned into supported employment jobs.

Community-Based Services: responsible to build and cultivate community partnerships to enable our participants to work in a variety of settings; collaborate with team members to build on existing relationships and create new contacts in the community based on individual interests.

Youth and Transition Services: responsible for assessment, training, and vocational support on an as-needed basis.

About Life’sWork of Western PA 

Life’sWork of Western PA is a nonprofit organization empowering people to live the life they choose. We partner with people with disabilities, people with other barriers, young adults, children, and families to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships. 

About Adult Services: 

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is three times higher than that of people without disabilities. Through our Supported Group Employment, Small Group Staffing, and Community Participation Supports, we’re providing adults with disabilities an opportunity to overcome barriers to employment. 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Complete assessment of participants and interpret all information to determine realistic potentials for employment 
• Provide individual counseling and support to participants with regards to assignments given, progress and performance, vocational choice, attitudes, self-confidence, and self-advocacy to assist in obtaining and retaining employment 
• Develop individual goal plans to direct each participant’s program via training, interviews, observation etc. to obtain relevant information regarding attitudes, behaviors, interests, skills, and abilities 
• Contribute information regarding the participant’s progress for support team meetings when requested 
• Provide ongoing training and support to job coaches to ensure that adequate support, training, and education is provided to meet the needs of the participant 
• Serve as the point of contact for the job coach if they are in need of assistance in developing strategies for coaching and support 
• Complete well written reports within established time frames 
• Complete all documentation and billing for prior month by the 5th of the next month (ex: billing for March is due by April 5th) 
• Maintain up-to-date records of contacts with participants and employers for case recording and participant files 
• Provide liaison with referral agencies, funding sources, advocates and families as needed 
• Provide participants with information concerning rights, options, benefits, services, goals and expectations 
• Establish and maintain community based partnerships to enable participants to have a variety of job opportunities
• Develop community-based jobs tailored to the participant’s needs, performance, interests, skills and abilities.
• Support participants with job finding, job development, and interview skills 
• Support participants in setting up interviews and referrals to job opportunities 
• Assist the employer in job accommodations, accessibility and task analysis to ensure success
• Educate the employer in strategies when working with participant 
• Perform on-site training and monitoring of participant for job coaching experience
• Demonstrate knowledge of and implementation of the participant’s support plan 
• Serve as a resource person and act as a role model for participants and staff members 
• Engage with all participants in a positive, respectful, and productive manner 
• Provide a person-centered environment that fosters advancement and transition
• Complete and maintain annual staff qualifications, including 24 hours of training per year 
• Perform other related duties as assigned 
• Schedule: 40 hours per week and occasional weekend/evening hours may be necessary 

 This job description is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time during the course of employment.

Requirements

Education & Experience:  

Preferred:  

• A master’s degree or above from an accredited college or university in Special Education, Psychology, Public Health, Rehabilitation, Social Work Speech Pathology, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation or another human services field 

Required: 

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education, Psychology, Public Health, Rehabilitation, Social Work Speech Pathology, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation or another human services field 
• Patch / PA Child Abuse / FBI Fingerprint Clearance are required within 30 days of employment and this is all paid by Life’sWork of Western PA
• ACRE certification – Life’sWork will pay for certification if you do not currently hold certification

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:  

• A team player with confidence to take the lead 
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Well-organized with customer-oriented approach
• Good attention to detail and observation skills 
• Proficient technical understanding and can pick up on new systems easily 
• Working knowledge of computer systems to complete documentation 
• Knowledge of agency and community resources and services 
• Knowledge of organizational programs 
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies and procedures 
• Ability to de-escalate situations and ensure the safety of our participants 

Benefits Package: 

Health Coverage: (full-time only)? 

• Pays 100% of employee only coverage.
• Matches up to $700 towards your health savings account (H.S.A.) 

Other benefits; (100% paid by employee) 

• Dental and vision 
• Aflac 
• Legal Shield / Identity Theft 

Paid Time Off (PTO): 

• Beginning your second year, full-time employees will receive 20 days of PTO 
• Beginning your second year, part-time employees may receive up to 10 days of PTO 

Holidays: (full-time) 

• Offer 12 holidays per year

Retirement Plan (403(b) Thrift Plan): 

• Matches 100% up to 5% of employee’s contribution? 

Mileage reimbursement: 

• Follows the federal mileage rate. 

Flexible schedule  

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: At Life’sWork of Western PA, we have a clear vision: to create a community where difference is valued. As an organization with a mission that is centered around lifting up some of the most vulnerable members of society, diversity and inclusion are more than just words to us. Here, everyone is welcome. We employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, language, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, handicap or disability, and other protected status’. As an employment organization that is continually evolving to provide the best possible services for our clients, we strive to be as diverse as the individuals that we serve. Life’sWork is fully focused on building and nurturing a workplace where inclusion is part of our everyday culture, not just an initiative; where all employees feel their individual gifts are celebrated and appreciated, and where they are encouraged to be who they are.

There is always more work to be done, and we believe that if the services that are provided by our organization are done through a diverse mix of talents, perspectives, and backgrounds, we can play a role in creating ongoing and lasting change.