Employment Specialist

Sign-On Bonus available!*

Be You, Be the Arc. Bring your kindness, bring your compassion, bring your diversity. Create a rewarding career at The Arc of Monroe by empowering and supporting people with I/DD to live fulfilling lives and create opportunities for independence and inclusion.

People with disabilities represent the minority group with the highest unemployment and underemployment rates in the country. An Employment Specialist at the Arc of Monroe is an advocate for social justice, diversity in the workplace, equity and inclusion for the disability community. You will support people to develop employment skills, build relationships, and become an integrated part of the Rochester community.

The Employment Specialist works directly with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to provide person-centered employment services and support, including:

• Teaching job search skills to participants with disabilities
• Identifying and addressing individuals’ potential barriers to successful employment such as: concerns about government benefits and transportation
• Using an analytical job match to facilitate appropriate job placements
• Promoting Job Path programs and the valuable aspects of hiring people with disabilities to potential employers for the purpose of securing employment opportunities for individuals with various disabilities
• Delivering effective on-site and/or off-site intensive coaching following placement to ensure retention and employer/employee satisfaction
• Providing other services as needed, including mobility/travel training, self-advocacy training, work readiness training, and supports to participants in internships.

A successful applicant will demonstrate excellent communication and relationship-building skills. An Employment Specialist engages people we support and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of maintaining competitive employment in community job settings with other workers without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The Employment Specialist works in collaboration with the agency and the department, the participant’s family and support team, and state funding partners to provide cohesive support to each participant.

In addition to providing high-quality service and supports, an Employment Specialist completes necessary paperwork, reports, and documentation in an accurate, objective and timely manner to meet Arc of Monroe, federal and state regulatory requirements.

Required Skills:

• Utilize strategies such as job development, job search/matching, employer education, task analysis and advocacy to help secure employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Coach people on their job site to support them in skill mastery, building professional social skills, and ensure employer/employee satisfaction
• Monitor job performance and job-related skills; evaluate peoples’ skills, set realistic goals, coach people as they work toward goals related to work skill development, and reevaluate goals as progress is made
• Retain a flexible working schedule to ensure people receive the best service possible
• Maintain through, accurate, up-to-date records, billable service notes and Arc Job Path documentation
• Be an culturally-competent, tactful mentor and advocate for people with disabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining effective levels of consumer service
• Ability to stay calm and level-headed under pressure and still perform well
• Must demonstrate good judgment, independent decision making and knowledge of community resources
• Ability to foster teamwork between all team members via open communication, sharing of responsibilities, and a positive, constructive attitude

• Bachelors degree preferred or Associates degree with 2 years I/DD experience
• NYS drivers license
• Excellent communication skills