What are the responsibilities and job description for the Employment Specialist position at Ken Anderson Alliance?
About Us
Ken Anderson Alliance Ken Anderson Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers adults with disabilities to thrive in the community through three programmatic pillars; Creative Arts, Work & Job Readiness, and Community Integration. At Ken Anderson Alliance, we support relationship- and connection-building for people with disabilities throughout the community. We believe every Ken Anderson Alliance participant has a purpose and deserves to feel a sense of pride in being part of a community that seeks the greater good.
Job Overview
Ken Anderson Alliance is seeking someone who believes that employment is about much more than earning a paycheck—it's about belonging, purpose, independence, and community. Our ideal candidate is enthusiastic, optimistic, and genuinely enjoys helping others discover their strengths. They are energized by community engagement, comfortable working in a variety of environments, and motivated by seeing participants gain confidence and achieve goals they may not have thought possible. They are a patient teacher, a strong advocate, and an excellent communicator who enjoys building relationships with both participants and employers. They approach challenges with creativity, maintain a positive attitude, and celebrate each individual's successes—big and small. The ideal candidate:
- Leads with empathy while maintaining high expectations,
- Builds trust with participants, families, coworkers, and employers,
- Communicates with professionalism and respect,
- Takes initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do.
- Is organized and accountable, recognizing that quality documentation and follow-through are essential to delivering excellent services, and
- Maintains a positive attitude and serves as an ambassador for disability inclusion throughout the community.
Responsibilities Include:
- Working with individuals served and employers to identify solutions to employment barriers, such as transportation, workplace accommodations, language supports, etc.
- Utilizing universal design for learning training techniques such as verbal prompting, visual prompting, forward chaining, etc. Adapts training techniques based upon participants' strengths and needs.
- Accompanying participants to employment sites and assists with communicating with prospective employers, completing applications, scheduling interviews, and provides support through the interview process as needed.
- Encouraging program participants to increase independent work skills by teaching job tasks, interpersonal skills, stress management, communication skills, and other job-related activities.
- Building relationships with inclusive employers throughout Greater Cincinnati.
- Community-based job coaching.
- Coordination with Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).
- Supporting individuals in achieving competitive integrated employment while fostering independence and community inclusion.
- Accurate documentation for DODD waiver-funded services and OOD reporting.
- Measuring success through employment outcomes, participant satisfaction, and employer retention.
- Working assigned schedule, exhibiting regular and predictable attendance.
- Performing other related duties as required.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate or associate degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in the field of developmental disabilities preferred; Relevant experience in job coaching or credentialing that substitutes for the educational requirement is also considered.
- Valid driver’s license with 5 or fewer points and the ability to maintain current vehicle insurance.
- Ability to pass all pre-employment screening requirements.
- Experience working with adults with disabilities in employment/job skill building roles is preferred.
- Willingness to work flexible hours.
- Comfortable working in a small team atmosphere.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $19