Employment Specialist - Full Time - Wise

JOB TITLE: Employment Specialist

SUMMARY:

Responsible for pre-employment activities, job development, job placement, on-site training and longterm follow along support to enable adults with severe disabilities to acquire and maintain employment in a community-based job. Provides assessment, advocacy, referral, training, and other identified support to individuals within a designated employment service.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

• For Tennessee: Bachelor’s degree required preferably in a social service field or in business.
• For Virginia Employment services: Bachelor’s degree in education, vocational rehabilitation, social work, human services, business or related field preferred OR High School diploma with at least 4 years of experience working with adults in a vocational rehabilitation program, human services setting or other employment service organization setting.

Licensure: Obtain and maintain a driver’s license with “F” endorsement within 30 days of hire. No endorsement required for VA residents.

Certification: Must obtain employment certification training when eligible

Experience: Minimum of six months working with individuals with disabilities. One year experience delivering employment-related services.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Possess excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain composure in difficult situations.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Must have intermediate skills in Microsoft Office programs.
• Must have intermediate skills in video communication software.

EQUIPMENT: Computer, fax, copier, tools and equipment needed at job sites and any other equipment required to perform the functions of the position.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Demonstrates extensive knowledge of principles and practices of the assigned program/services.

2. Assists with the implementation of program goals and objectives through direct service delivery.

3. Adheres to all program/service licensing standards and requirements.

4. Addresses emergency situations, responds accordingly and assesses corrective/preventative plan of action. 

5. Provides assessment services to assist in the determination of eligibility, vocational strengths, interests, abilities, obstacles and other vital information related to acquiring employment. - Individuals served will achieve or maintain his/her desired community-based employment goal.

6. Provides individualized job development and placement services through techniques such as employer interviews and market surveys to identify potential employment sites for individuals served.

7. Provides on-site training and support to individuals and employers to maximize the potential for successful job placement.

8. Provides advocacy and long-term follow-along/support services to maximize the potential for job retention.

9. Acts as liaison between individuals served, employers, families/caregivers, funding source representatives, and significant others to facilitate communication and support to assist in the employment process. -Must meet contract standards of the assigned caseload as indicated by contract requirements and established productivity targets re: successful job placement

10. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services in accordance with FHI guidelines, licensure/quality enhancement guidelines, and all funding source(s) guidelines/ requirements. - Records documentation must meet compliance with applicable standards as identified by payer source and as measured by the Utilization Review form.

11. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other service providers/funding sources to ensure all necessary supports are included to maximize the potential for employment success for the individual being supported.

12. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, in-services, and individual program planning staffings, as needed.

13. All other duties as assigned. 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Although each position has its own unique duties and responsibilities, the following listing applies to every employee. All employees of the organization are expected to:

1. Support the organization’s mission, vision, and values of excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership.

2. Exercise necessary cost control measures.

3. Maintain positive internal and external customer service relationships.

4. Demonstrate effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively and asking questions when clarification is needed.

5. Plan and organize work effectively and ensure its completion.

6. Demonstrate reliability by arriving to work on time and utilizing effective time management.

7. Meet all productivity requirements.

8. Demonstrate team behavior and must be willing to promote a team-oriented environment.

9. Represent the organization professionally at all times.

10. Demonstrate initiative and strive to continually improve processes and relationships.

11. Follow all Frontier Health rules, policies and procedures as well as applicable laws and standards.