Community Employment Specialist

SUMMARY:

The Community Employment Specialist (CES) will coordinate PDI’s Letter of Agreement with Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers and TennCare’s ECF Program. The CES also plays a lead role in employment. They will be responsible for developing and obtaining employment for individuals served, which have been identified for community employment. The CES will ensure proper skills are obtained in order to gain employment. They will educate families and community employers concerning employment for individuals served by PDI. Perform job development activities for individuals served by PDI. This job will work to promote awareness of the agency mission of Pride, Dignity and Independence for individuals with developmental disabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following: Other duties may be assigned.

• Performs job development activities such as soliciting employers and education the Community.
• Will hold training sessions to support people in the development of appropriate social and work behaviors.
• Identify a person’s desired job, ID their skill strengths and deficits, and develop specific programs to teach needed skills. I.E. If the choice is janitorial ensure that the person can mop, sweep, dust, etc.
• When a person has been identified as suitable to enter the work place the following must happen:

a) Utilize Individualized plans to gain employment for person supported.

b) Individual hygiene training (if appropriate).

c) Training for using city buses and other forms of public transportation.

d) Mock interviews, to prepare the person for the interview process.

e) Meeting with family members for education and support.

f) Other training as deemed necessary by the service coordination team or circle of support.

g) Conduct an initial evaluation of all consumers in order to classify the consumers and determine the appropriate course of action to pursue with respect each person.

h) Annually inspect the initial evaluation summary

• CES will oversee development of an Individual Employment Program for each person identified as suitable for community employment.
• A system for documentation and tracking of progress will be implemented for each Individual Employment Program.
• Will develop a good working relationship with potential employers.
• Maintain a contact file with detailed notes, timeline, and available positions with different employers.
• Will coordinate with the Employment/ECF Director all invoicing concerning contracts.
• Will maintain contract files and produce monthly reports for submission to Employment/ECF Director.
• Will conduct Community Awareness meetings no less than quarterly (may alternate each quarter between industrial businesses and other smaller businesses). The objective of these meetings will be to assist potential employers in obtaining knowledge of the workforce/population who may have disabilities. CES will be responsible for advertisement and follow through for these meetings.
• Address and present the element of employment with each consumer/client and secure a response from the consumer/client to determine if the individual wants to work or if they choose not to work.

SERVICE COORDINATION DUTIES:

• Participates in Individual Service Plan (ISP) meetings for designated persons served
• Reviews assessments, ISP’s, Behavior Support Plans (BSP’s) and other actions to ensure participation by direct support staff, people served and relatives (as applicable).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a four year college or university in one of human behavioral sciences; or four years of related experience and/or training.
• A valid Tennessee Class D driver’s license