Academy - Employment Specialist

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Employment Specialist for The Academy at Tommy Nobis Center will be an integral part of an exciting new program being implemented to provide accelerated vocational education, training, and employment to young adults with disabilities who are transitioning out of High School and into the work environment. This position plays a key role for the planning, development and implementation of the job placement service plan and providing employment services to participants served through The Academy at Tommy Nobis Center. This position is responsible for placing clients in competitive employment roles and the successful outcomes of persons served.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Develop and manage community partnership for participant internship locations and employment.
2. Work with participants to identify preferred internship and employment opportunities.
3. Meets with perspective employers for the purpose of filling and/or creating employment opportunities for participants to fulfill our mission
4. Serves as an advocate and ally for persons with disabilities by educating the community regarding The Academy.
5. Works with the Academy staff utilizing experience-based judgment to match participant skills and capabilities with varied internship and employment opportunities.
6. Meets with the participant and their family to develop the individualized service plan for developing employment goals, measures, and career planning.
7. Job Development activities including:
   1. Assists with the completion of applications and work-related assessments.
   2. Interview preparation and practice.
   3. Assist in initial transportation needs for purpose of completing applications, interviews, and general onboarding with internship/employment site.
8. Plans, develops, coordinates, implements, monitors, and follows up on all employment services for participants. Provides case management and support services as needed.
9. Coordinates services with other Tommy Nobis Center staff and referral sources.
10. This position is fully responsible for continuously soliciting participant input into the development, planning, and implementation of employment services.
11. Maintains confidential, timely, and accurate documentation regarding attendance, progress, and billing records in accordance with GVRA, CARF, Tommy Nobis Center, and all other regulatory agency requirements.
12. Provides ongoing communication regarding participant’s progress, needs, etc. to the participant and others such as family, counselors, and other Tommy Nobis Center staff.
13. Functions as a back-up up to the Academy Instructor to provide job readiness instruction including classroom teaching for the development of work skills and work behaviors.
14. Coordinates and conducts meetings to discuss participant progress and/or concerns.
15. Coordinates participants internship opportunities at community work sites.
16. Participates in regular participant meetings for discussion of pertinent issues or concerns.
17. Represents Tommy Nobis Center in agency meetings and community events, etc.