VASO Employment Services Program Specialist

The Employment Services Program Specialist is responsible for helping adults on the autism spectrum or with comparable symptomology achieve an independent and fulfilling life by ensuring implementation of ISP outcomes, coordinating community-based activities, and serving as a leader of the Career Developers and Employment Specialists.  The Employment Services Program Specialist oversees the participation in programming of up to thirty individuals in an effective and collaborative manner ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Creates and promotes a culture centered on building self-directed lives with the people we support
• Displays principles of good management and applies these in daily work performance
• Implements performance management policies and positive management practices to result in high performing employees and teams.
• Develops performance metrics, measures staff performance using appropriate tools and rubrics, and conducts assigned performance reviews as scheduled.
• Identifies, addresses, and manages employee performance discrepancies, disciplinary issues, and training deficiencies for department members.
• Serves as the liaison between Vista Autism Services and supports coordination agencies as well as county administrative entities
• Coordinates regular and collaborative meetings with outside supports coordination agencies and team members
• Attends internal treatment team and management meetings
• Participates in the development of the ISP, ISP Annual Update, and any ISP revisions, including formulating individual outcomes for individuals on caseload
• Tracks data on ISP outcomes, community participation and health promotions
• Creates, updates, signs, dates, and disseminates quarterly progress reports, reviewing with the individual if and as requested, or as required
• Produces annual assessments based on the individual’s progress and growth, as applicable
• Makes independent decisions regarding program operations within his/her authority
• Notifies the Manager of Adult Employment Services in an accurate and timely manner of unusual incidents, problems, and changes for individual cases
• Promotes a positive working relationship with all employees
• Coordinates and reviews the careful preparation of individual’s records and ensures that they are kept accurate and up to date
• Provides direct support to individuals as needed
• Ensures that programmatic routines are followed as established; follows established procedures when making changes
• Remains aware of behavioral and /or medical status of the people that we support
• Coordinates partnerships with local businesses to maximize the potential to work on outcomes as listed in the ISP of all individuals on the caseload
• Assists direct support staff in utilizing individual’s most effective instructional strategies to teach skills necessary to be successful across community settings 
• Uses principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis to teach appropriate replacement behaviors and reduce the occurrence of undesirable behaviors; reports/documents incidences, if they occur
• Screens potential individuals and assists with enrollment into the program  
• Ensures compliance with all state regulated mandates as well as Vista’s policies and procedures
• Completes other duties as assigned 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

This position supervises the Lead & Supervising Employment Specialist position. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The following positions or frequent movements are typical of the job: sitting, walking, standing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, stooping, running, and crawling, often for extended periods of the workday.   Assignment may require the ability to physically move clients during possible physical interventions in order to maintain a safe learning environment. 

The position requires that an individual be able to learn new tasks quickly and effectively. Job requirements may change frequently. The ability to understand and carry out detailed, involved, instructions is mandatory. The incumbent must be able to travel to multiple locations as needed, when needed to conduct organizational business. Subject to inside environmental conditions.

 EXPECTED SCHEDULE

This is a full time minimum 40 hour per week position.  Days and hours of the workweek are agreed upon by management, the assigned customer’s schedules, and the Adult Services calendar.  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 Associate Degree or 60 credit hours and 4 years of work experience working with persons with disabilities OR Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years’ work experience working with persons with disabilities OR Master’s Degree and 1 year work experience working with persons with disabilities required

• Minimum 1-3 years of experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder using principles of Applied Behavior Analysis required 
• Minimum 1-3 years of supervisory experience, particularly overseeing caseloads and billing documentation preferred
• Earning of the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certificate or becoming a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) within 9 months of hire required
• Clean driving record (no more than 2 moving violations in a 3-year span), valid PA driver’s license, current vehicle inspection, up-to-date vehicle registration, and proof of adequate insurance coverage required 
• Passing of all pre-employment regulatory and safety-sensitive employee requirements including, but not limited to, PPD testing, physical exam, drug tests, and background checks required
• Successful completion of Safe and Positive Approaches Training required 
• Successful completion of CPR and First Aid Training required
• Successful completion of Community Participation Support Training required within 60 days of hire

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Ability to independently problem solve and make quick decisions required
• Demonstrated accountability, leadership, and organizational skills required
• Experience working with individuals with an autism spectrum disorder using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis highly desired
• Knowledge and experience of non-profit organizational management preferred