Extended Service Provider

About Abilities First:

For over 60 years, Abilities First, Inc. has been empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to live their most vibrant, independent lives. From early education to adulthood, our wide range of services including preschool and school programs, day and residential habilitation, community connections, and employment services are designed to uplift every individual’s unique strengths and dreams.

We believe in the power of people of every background, identity, and ability to create change and build a more inclusive world. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is welcoming and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender and gender identities. At Abilities First, you’ll join a mission-driven team that values collaboration, celebrates individuality, and is dedicated to meaningful work. If you're ready to turn your passion into purpose, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

Position Summary

As a member of the Employment Services team, the Extended Service Provider provides ongoing support to individuals employed in the individual placement model. The support is proactive and preventive in nature. It is aimed at addressing employment issues before they can lead to job loss. Extended Service Providers must ensure that assistance is available as needed to both the participant and the employer. For some individuals, Extended Service Providers may perform a more Care Manager like role in areas that can include residential, familial, financial and recreational.

Schedule: Full-Time 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday 8:30-5pm. Ability and flexibility to work evenings and Saturdays as needed for individual support services.

Pay Range: $18.63 - $21.00

Position Standards

• Provide onsite re-training and skill acquisition/maintenance as needed in the extended phase of support.
• Provide onsite training and skill acquisition in the absence of an assigned vocational specialist during the intensive phase of training.
• Maintain open, effective and ongoing communication with employer, participant, Program Developer, Director and all other relevant parties.
• Develop understanding of social security system to forestall or minimize related problems.
• Maintain regular contact with other service providers regarding participant’s status away from work.
• Provide counseling on issues directly or indirectly involved with employment.
• Gain continuous feedback and evaluations from employers regarding participant’s progress and/or needs for support.
• Complete both participant and employer satisfaction surveys at the 90-day post stabilization milestone and annually thereafter.
• Track and/or develop allowances for individual participant career development, identifying readiness signs for job change and acting as facilitator in that process.
• Ensures all required trainings and certifications required are current, and seeks further support and training where needed.
• Adhere to agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, which require all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith and respect for others and the law.
• Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.
• Performs other appropriate job-related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.
• Will incorporate concepts of person-centered excellence by respecting people’s concerns and responding accordingly and will use “teachable moments” to assist people in understanding and exercising their rights.

This is a full-time position eligible for these benefits:

• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time off
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Increased earning potential with online training through College of Direct Support
• On Demand Payment – access your earnings as early as the next day
• And More!

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, in order to perform the essential functions of this job, an individual shall be required to:

• Have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., bend, squat, bend the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques).
• Have the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Possess verbal and written communication skills, in English, to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field;
• Minimum of one-year of vocational specialist service provision. A combination of education and experience which would be considered by the employer as appropriate to qualify for the position may be acceptable.
• Must have a current NYS driver’s license, free of moving violations; deemed acceptable by our insurance carrier.