Virginia Employment Specialist (34702)

Job Summary: This position assesses the interests, capabilities and support needs to of individuals seeking employment and supports them to find individualized, single placement employment opportunities in the community. This position provides both direct and indirect job training to the individual and supports employers/co-workers of individuals employed to provide training and support on the job; works with individuals to achieve job growth and career advancement; assists with the development of individual work plans for each individual; performs other job related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

1. Ensures 24 hour, 7 day per week availability (limited to 40 hours per week unless otherwise requested) in order to provide direct job site support at the times and places required by individuals who are employed.
2. Conducts assessments with all individuals served using the Vocational Profile Discovery Processor other approved method, to determine the interests, capabilities and support needs of each person served. Maintains documentation of outcomes and is accountable for job placements consistent with assessments’ outcomes.
3. Conducts job development activities directly with the individual or indirectly, as circumstances may require, based on the desires of the individual and needs of the employer. Cultivates and maintains community-networking sources for job development purposes.
4. Conducts workplace environmental assessments, job and task analyses and all other tasks stipulated by agency procedures for all job placements.
5. Provides direct and indirect job training to individuals on the job.
6. Ensures that appropriate reasonable accommodations are made by employers.
7. Provides consultation to employers to implement. Seeks consultation on accommodations as appropriate.
8. Identifies and provides training and support to identified “natural supports’ for the individual on the job. (Natural supports are the supports that can be provided by willing co-workers as well as the employer).
9. Conducts observations of individual’s performance and seeks to fade direct Employment Specialist support as agreed to by the individual and the employer; ensures that individual’s performance is monitored and meets employer requirements and specifications for quantity and quality;
10. Acquires employer satisfaction assessment(s) as prescribed by agency procedures.
11. Conducts follow up support to assist individuals with the maintenance of employment

Secondary Functions:

1. Assists in developing plans for each individual on assigned caseload and implements services and training as detailed by same;
2. Completes monthly billing reports for all individuals served and submits to required parties in a timely manner.
3. Develops monthly reports on the status of the individual and submits to required parties in a timely manner.
4. Maintains excellent communication and relationships with individuals, their family members, referral agencies, rehabilitation counselors, support coordinators and employers.
5. Ensures referral of all individuals supported to Work Incentive Planning & Assistance.
6. Acquires and uses basic knowledge of Social Security and other benefits impacted by employment; attends workshops or other training routinely to attain updated information on work and benefits.
7. Acquires and maintains current Certified Employment Specialist Professional (CESP) certification.
8. Provides transportation to/for job development purposes.
9. Attends and participates in all relevant agency events, workshops, training and meetings;
10. Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Ability to gain working knowledge of St. John’s Community Services policies and procedures;
2. Ability to act as a representative of St. John’s Community Services to the public;
3. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
4. Ability to research, prepare, maintain and review reports and documents;
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality;
6. Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software, and office machines;
7. Must have reliable means to transport consumers.

   Physical and Environmental Conditions:

   Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort.

   Work environment may involve situations that require special safety precautions e.g., exposure to aggressive human behavior.

   The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

   St. John's Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John's Community Services does not does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other protected class

1. High School diploma or GED preferred, BA/BS Degree in a human services, education or related field plus;
2. Requires two or more years related experience working with persons with disabilities; experience in community based employment programs preferred;
3. A sales or customer services background is a plus.
4. Must meet SJCS and funding jurisdiction current requirements for criminal background/records check.
5. Must have valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements;
6. Valid state-issued driver's license with current driving record in good standing required.

St. John's Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John's Community Services does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental quality, military service, or other protected class.

Learn more about St. Johns Community Services at www.sjcs.org. Apply today!