Supported Employment Specialist - Project Search

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program for students ages 18 -22 that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through work-site rotations, culminating in individualized job development. Students participate in three targeted rotations at the host business, UPMC. The programs Employment Specialist provides job readiness services, job development, job coaching and work performance monitoring/support for young adults with disabilities, throughout UPMC and Allegheny County businesses.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employment & Retention Specialist will provide job readiness services, participant development, job coaching and case management for diverse populations to meet the outcome goals of program and program participants. The employment specialist has two customers: the job seeker & the employer who will hire the job seeker. As such, the employment specialist must represent the job seeker as an asset to businesses while also being able to facilitate the supports for the individual to become an employee.

This position requires travel in Allegheny county and surrounding areas, and a majority of the incumbents time will be spent meeting providing job coaching and creating employment opportunities out in the community. Consistent access to a reliable vehicle, a valid drivers license, and active car insurance policy are required for this role. 

This role requires flexibility, as the daily schedule is built around participant work shifts and stakeholder availability. The standard schedule expectations are Monday - Friday, with the possibility of weekends as needed. The average shift schedules are: 7 AM - 3PM, 8 AM - 4 PM, 9 AM - 5 PM. Evenings may be required based on participant and stakeholder needs.

Duties will also include but are not limited to:

• Maintain collaborative relationships with all stakeholders (clients, employers, funders, fellow Goodwill employees and departments, etc.) to ensure quality placement and successful placement outcomes, including attendance at meetings, trainings, etc as needed to ensure placement and defined outcomes.
• Deliver quality job search, job placement and career development services through collaboration and the utilization of job search technologies (including CareerLink website) and resources to identify jobs according to participant abilities, skills and interests.
• Communicate job specific expectations to the client and meet regularly with site management to ensure communication of business needs.
• Input and maintain all information related to participant activity such as case notes, attendance records, contacting employers to verify employment and conducting job site visits.

Type: Regular, Full-time

Status: Non-exempt

External Hiring Range: $18.25 to $18.98/Hour    

Retention Bonus: $1,500 after 12 months of employment.                                                                                    

Travel Required:  Yes

Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment required. OR
• Associates Degree and 4 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment required. OR
• Bachelors and 2 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment required