Position Summary:

The Employment Specialist provides effective supported employment to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment that results in self- sufficiency and increased independence. This role establishes and maintains quality employer partnerships that result in the employment of participants and ensures the delivery of outstanding and highly responsive internal and external customer service with a high degree of flexibility and creativity. The Employment Specialist completes pre-Vocational evaluations and all necessary documentation, and creates an environment that results in excellence, innovation, and positive morale. This role maintains state, federal, county monitoring and Agency regulations and guidelines, builds community among staff, families, and business partners and recognizes that the highest quality of service is delivered with Hospitality, Respect, Quality, Spirituality, and Responsibility, the core values of the Agency, and maintains confidentiality of departmental records, persons, and activities.

Agency Expectations of Coworkers:

Coworkers are expected to perform their duties in such a way that enhances the dignity and quality of life of all the children and clients that we serve. St. John of God Community Services (the Agency) is a service of The Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, a Religious Order of the Roman Catholic Church, whose mission is to serve the sick, poor, and needy people in over 50 countries worldwide.

St. John of God Community Services expects the following to be met by all coworkers.

• Understands and supports the Agency’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Understands and Respects the Catholic Identity of The Hospitaller Order of St. John of God and St. John of God Community Services.
• Adheres to Agency and departmental policies and procedures.
• Acts as a role model within and outside the Agency while maintaining information in a confidential and needs-to-know manner regarding persons served, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Performs duties as the workload necessitates by demonstrating flexibility, efficient time management, and the ability to prioritize one’s workload.
• Responds appropriately to interruptions, emergencies, and various safety and evacuation drills.
• Treats attendance and punctuality as essential components of the job.
• Communicates on a timely basis with a supervisor about departmental issues and concerns affecting the safety and well-being of all.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops employment opportunities for clients and assists clients with the transition to community-based employment.
• Ensures correspondence with DVRS, clients, families, vendors, and employers are completed efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Conducts CBWE and other service assessments to identify individual skills, interests, and supports needing to explore and identify career paths by observing clients at integrated employment sites.
• Assists in the preparation of resumes, completion of job applications, developing interview skills and appropriate workplace behavior.
• Understands and manages job task analysis and accessing transportation options.
• Contacts employers to develop and identify job opportunities. Works with clients, families, and referring agencies to assess needs and develop appropriate job matches.
• Provides job- coaching services. Acts as a liaison among employers, clients, and families.
• Observes work related behaviors, such as attendance, hygiene, social behaviors, and communication, with supervisors and peers.
• Reviews referral profiles and maintains appropriate paperwork including case record documentation, billing, reports, anecdotal and other confidential information.
• Transports clients during job development process and/or coaching assignments
• Provides follow-up with employers and clients to provide feedback to employers, persons served, referring agencies, and staff.
• Ensures CARF, DOL, Ticket to Work and DVRS standards, including but not limited to WIOA, are met and maintained for program planning, accreditation, and audits. Ensures recordkeeping and intake procedures meet state, federal, county and Agency guidelines.
• Completes and submits all reports, as directed by the Supervisor of Vocational Rehabilitation, in a timely manner to evaluate services completed and ensure services are billable.

• Participates in planning and implementing cross-training/cross utilization for various department functions.
• Observes Agency and departmental procedures concerning safety, emergencies, behavior management, and professional conduct.
• Monitors client areas for safety and ease of access.
• Participates in all Safeguarding Trainings related to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
• Participates in departmental meetings, information sharing and in-service training. Offers ideas for improved services and operations.
• Develops professional competencies; keeps abreast of related literature, enhances technical skills and knowledge.
• Promotes teamwork.
• Work flexible hours as needed based on program needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for the Position:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field.
• Experienced in Social Security Ticket to Work Program.
• Certified Work Incentive Counselor preferred.
• Valid drivers’ license with a clean driving record.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, decision making, and ability to direct the work of others.
• Bilingual preferred
• Required skills, knowledge, and ability to perform job.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships.
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) Specifications:

The demands described herein below are representative of those that must be met by a coworker to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Proficiency Rating Legend:

O = Occasionally – May be called upon to perform from time-to-time.

R = Regularly – Commonly call upon to perform.

F = Frequently – Repeatedly called upon to perform; cannot perform job without this function.

• Lifting unassisted: Up to 25 pounds, from the floor level to the at waist level. (R)
• Lifting assisted: Up to 50 pounds, from any level. (R)
• Standing/Walking: Remaining on one’s feet in an upright position or moving about a work area. (F)
• Sitting: Remaining in a normal, seated position. (O)
• Bending/Stooping: Continual, intermittent flexing of the spine; bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. (R)
• Crouching/Kneeling: Bending legs at knees; coming to rest on knees. (R)
• Crawling: Moving about a surface on hands and knees. (O)
• Pushing/Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from or toward the force. (R)
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. (R)
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like, using feet and legs, and hands and arms. (O)
• Repetitive finger/hand movements: Usage or other special equipment operated. (F)
• Precise finger/hand movements: Seizing, grasping, turning, or otherwise performing precision work with hand or hands. (F)
• Close vision: Clear vision at 20 inches or less. (O)
• Distance vision: Clear vision at 20 feet or more. (R)
• Color Vision: The ability to identify and distinguish colors. (F)
• Peripheral vision: To observe an area that can be seen up/down or to the left/right, while the eyes are fixed on a given point. (F)
• Depth perception: The ability to judge distance and spatial relationships. (F)
• Focus adjustment/ability: To adjust eyes to bring an object into sharp focus. (F)
• Distinguish foreground/background sounds. (O)
• Hear high/low frequencies. (R)
• Hear/process for conversation speech. (F)
• Effective articulation. (F)
• Voice Projection. (O)
• Read and write at college level. (F)
• Taste: The ability to distinguish different flavors. (O)
• Smell: The ability to distinguish different scents. (O)
• Touch: The ability to distinguish tactually. (O)