Supported Employment Specialist

Summary of functions

Assist individuals with Intellectual developmental disabilities in finding, obtaining and maintaining competitive integrated employment through Supported Employment services. Build and maintain relationships with community businesses, document participant progress, coordinate employment supports, and promote inclusive employment opportunities.

Primary duty

• Provide training, job development, placement, and ongoing support to Supported Employment participants, including job readiness, applications, resumes, interviewing, benefits awareness, workplace skills, and retention services.

Major duties and responsibilities

• Represent the agency at various networking meetings including transition fairs, trade shows, job fairs etc. as appropriate
• Supervise and support Job Coaches as assigned
• Under the supervision of and in partnership with the Program Director, research, contact and develop relationships with businesses in the community willing to hire adults with I/DD; meet with potential employers and professionally represent the agency by presenting the SE program and what is has to offer
• Create and maintain partnerships with Vocational Rehabilitation, Regional Office(s), Support Coordination, etc.
• Work with Support Coordination agencies and other sources to recruit clients interested in SE services
• Perform mock interviews and accompany client on interview as appropriate
• Connect job seekers to appropriate jobs including all follow-up activities after interviews and placements for job seekers and employers
• Provide intense job coaching and fading out according to employer and client needs
• Follow-up with placed job seekers and employers to ensure retention and to encourage new opportunities
• Responsible for goal tracking, attendance, communication logs, progress notes, and other needed documentation
• Work closely and coordinate with other support persons including, but not limited to I/DD staff, clinical staff, Support Coordinators, employers, and families.
• Provide transportation in agency vehicle or public transportation options
• Attend and participate in Team and Division Meetings, ISP’s, SIS, and other client meetings as needed
• Maintain participant files according to regulation/policy
• Maintain billing information according to regulation/policy
• Responsible for promptly responding to and reporting to the appropriate personnel, incidents or evidence of participant abuse; critical incidents; violation of participants’ rights and other events based on regulations or agency policies
• Must provide medical assistance to participants served, such as administering medication, First Aid, CPR, and/or Heimlich maneuver as trained by the agency
• Complete 16 hours of annual training as required by regulation; attend additional training as required by the program/department
• Maintain a flexible work schedule as needed to provide participant support, job coaching, employer communication, and workplace observations during participants' scheduled work hours, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Attend meetings and conferences
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Training/Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, special education or related field
• ACRE and/ or CESP certification is highly preferred
• Valid Georgia Drivers License, without restrictions or citations within the last 3 years
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Proficient communication skills
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing job coaching in the I/DD or mental health field
• Prior sales, marketing, employment counseling or job development experience preferred

Physical requirements

• Must be able to lift, push, and pull a minimum of 50 pounds
• Ability to reach, bend, kneel, stoop, and stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift from floor to chest level
• Ability to keyboard and view a computer screen

Organizational relationships

Reports to and is under the direct and primary supervision of the Director of the Adult Day Program. The secondary supervisor is the CEO .