Employment Specialist F/T

Description Hourly Pay Range

• $20.35 - $27.27
• This position typically pays: $20.35/Hour Why Work for Goodwill Southern New England?! Referral bonuses Retirement plan contributions Tuition and gym reimbursement Emergency assistance funds Paid time off And more depending on position! SUMMARY Work as part of the interdisciplinary team to assist adult individuals with disabilities and/or other challenges in identifying and making choices about their social, vocational and personal goals; and in choosing, getting and keeping individual competitive employment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Coordinate intake process for new referrals and/or interdepartmental transfers to include review of referral materials/Master File, conducting a comprehensive intake interview, development of an Individual Service or Recovery Plan (ISP/IRP) with individual receiving services and other interdisciplinary team members, and completion of required documentation to complete the intake process.

Implement the ISP/IRP and insure employment readiness (i.e. appropriate attire, bus fare/passes, etc.) and the smooth and timely transition to employment.

Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, employers, family members, residential providers, funders, and any other internal and external contacts to insure pertinent resources are available to individuals.

Schedule, facilitate, and/or participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to develop, enhance and review the ISP/IRP to insure smooth and timely coordination of services and supports, including those necessary to meet personal care needs and individual goals.

Prepare for and participate in scheduled clinical team meetings (DMHAS-funded programs only).

Prepare for and participate in periodic Person Centered Planning meetings (DDS-funded program only).

Empower individuals receiving services to maximize their input regarding services/supports that are provided by supporting self-advocacy activities.

Assist in the facilitation of training programs such as job seeking, job retention and relevant life skills (i.e. travel training, sexuality awareness and abuse prevention, socialization and self-advocacy).

Review information about individuals from such sources as records, tests, interviews, and other professionals, to become familiar with the individual's interests, aptitudes, abilities, personality characteristics, and special needs related to vocational planning and job development. Stay abreast of labor market trends.

Assist in development of a professional resume for each assigned individual to be used during the job search that will highlight areas of strength and prior job experience, as applicable.

Ensure a specified number of job placements that match individual's skills, needs and vocational goals, as established by supervisor. May conduct on-site job analysis to determine if job requirements and work environment match individual's skills, needs, and vocational goals. May arrange and facilitate interviews with prospective employers.

May train individuals to perform their essential work tasks in an appropriate and productive manner, specific to the workplace. Ensure that employer's production and quality control needs are met. This may require the employment specialist to complete actual work tasks, as appropriate and/or to document attendance, work produced, etc. Facilitate opportunities for individuals to maximize their integration into the workplace.

Work with the employer to ensure that a safe and accessible work environment exists. Act as a resource for employers regarding disability issues.

Provide crisis intervention and utilize approved behavioral management techniques to enhance the individual’s success in the work place.

Provide required communication and documentation to meet agency, state, federal and other pertinent standards and guidelines. Ensure that all required documentation for payroll and progress reports, service delivery and participation is completed in a thorough and timely manner.

Use of computer to complete service documentation in program data management system, to include, but not limited to, job development activity, outreach efforts, job placement information, periodic assessments, goal tracking, and related case management, if applicable.

Ensure that appropriate authorization for services is received and that related billing is completed in a timely and accurate manner.

Assist individuals with transportation as required, including travel training and/or the use of personal vehicle.

Facilitate discharge planning and follow-up regarding transfers of individuals to other programs both within and external to the agency.

Perform other related essential duties as required or directed.

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in a related field; or at least one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as individual files, evaluation reports, job descriptions, personnel procedures and safety rules. Ability to write professional reports that are grammatically correct and easily understood for referral sources or others outside of the Agency. Ability to clearly communicate, in verbal and written form, individual status, problems, or needs.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form. Ability to assist individuals with appropriate social behavior to facilitate integration and inclusion. Ability to act as an advocate for individuals.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Connecticut driver's license in good standing. Job responsibilities may require use of personal vehicle. Current registration and automobile insurance must be maintained.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to obtain approved certification in physical/psychological management training (i.e. PMT), CPR and First Aid

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, climb or balance. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work near moving mechanical parts. The employee may work in outside weather conditions. The employee may be occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, cold, and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Equal Opportunity Employer