Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States.

We currently have an exciting career opportunity available to join the HKS team as an HKSB FT Employment Training Specialis t for our Placement department at our Islandia Location.

SUMMARY

Responsible for the execution of HKS’s Mission, goals, and objectives through the evaluation and development of participants’/consumers’ vocational skills, interests, and experiences to develop meaningful employment opportunities in an integrated setting.

The Employment Training Specialists are also responsible for providing pre-vocational services to teens to prepare them for the world of work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess the participant’s/consumer’s vocational skills, interests, experiences, needs, and appropriate services via a review of previous case documents and reports.

• Schedule face-to-face/ virtual appointments with participants to better understand their vocational desires, abilities, challenges to work, and needs.

• Assess their interpersonal skills in a one-to-one setting and group setting, either in person or using a virtual format.

• Train and facilitate our Employment Empowerment Groups (Soft Skills) and our Foundations (holistic work readiness) program in all Helen Keller locations either in person or utilizing a virtual platform. These workshops will help our vocational participants to refine their communication skills and to provide them with an understanding of the workplace.

• Assist with Youth and pre-vocational Skills training, if needed.

• Coordination of all aspects of the adult vocational/employment process such as a job placement assessment, work experience training, job seeking, and job development services for assigned consumers/participants.

• Monitor participant’s on-the-job performance with supervisor via on-site visits, telephone, email, and or a virtual platform.

• Establish a rapport with NYSCB counselors and professionally communicate verbally or in a written format regarding services that are being provided for their participants.

• Conduct all programs in Brooklyn, Hempstead, and Islandia.

• Perform case management services required with opening and closing participant cases. This includes all work required on CIS.

• Maintain monthly roster and calendar of services provided to participants and any associated reporting.

• Attend all HKSB staff meetings and any meeting or training that the Associate Executive Director deems appropriate.

• Assist in obtaining contract goals.

• All placement staff are expected to travel and perform services in our Brooklyn, Hempstead, and Islandia offices, and visit WET and competitive employment job sites, and attend meetings, trainings, and conferences.

• *During a crisis, certain aspects of our training curriculum can be provided remotely, utilizing a virtual format. However, a face-to-face meeting with consumers/participants must be conducted to close authorizations as per the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB).

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE.

BA in the field of human services (sociology, psychology), human resource experience, and or job coaching and development experience.

Master in Rehabilitation Counseling preferred or a master’s in human services.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package after meeting requirements.

POSITION BENEFITS

• 403(B)
• 403(B) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off.
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

LANGUAGE: Fluent English