Career Development Advisor

Chapel Haven Schleifer Center Inc • New Haven, CT

1d • $60,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Chapel Haven Schleifer Center is an award-winning nonprofit company devoted to empowering adults with disabilities to live independent and self-determined lives. We believe self-advocacy supports the growth of our individuals and collaborate with them to create services that foster independence. Chapel Haven's CareerAbility program is dedicated to providing meaningful employment opportunities for the individuals we serve. We believe employment should align with an individual's ability and interests, enhancing their quality of life while offering competitive wages. As a Career Development Advisor, you will work closely with our career development team, program managers, and director to guide individuals through career exploration, training, and job placement. The Career Development Advisor provides vocational counseling, recommends appropriate services, and supports individuals in achieving employment that balances financial stability and job satisfaction. We are seeking a knowledgeable Career Development Advisor with experience in vocational rehabilitation to join our team as we expand to meet growing needs. This role serves individuals in our residential, community, and non-residential programs, including those seeking new career opportunities or transitioning into the workforce.

Requirements

• Experience with standardized assessments, vocational/career development or transition services, data collection, and report writing.
• Prior experience with writing and creating detailed professional reports.
• Minimum of three years' direct experience working with young adults/adults with developmental and social disabilities.
• Two years of counseling, teaching, or workforce development experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of state funding and services preferred.
• Excellent verbal presentation, written communication, and organizational skills.
• Creativity and passion for the work we do.
• Commitment to inclusion and disability advocacy.
• Valid CT driver's license: use of personal vehicle and proof of insurance required.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred in counseling, psychology, social work, special education, communication disorders, vocational rehabilitation, or related areas; experience can substitute for education.
• Experience with parent communication and mediating challenges is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the intake/referral process into CareerAbility and carries a caseload.
• Works one-on-one with individuals, provides career guidance and advisement, performs observations, assessments, job coaching, and/or support throughout Discovery experiences and employment as needed.
• Provides effective career advisement services and consultation to support staff, families, and employers, with considerable understanding of developmental and social disabilities, including counseling approaches and strategies for success.
• Provides individual and group counseling and/or instruction to a caseload, as well as within CareerAbility's workshop catalog.
• May provide workshops to families, employers, and/or within the industry.
• May give presentations about CareerAbility services to support Chapel Haven's Admissions department with recruitment.
• Utilizes assessment skills to collect and synthesize information about an individual to make decisions, including reviewing records (IEPs), writing measurable goals/objectives, performing data collection, interpreting medical and psychological data, and reviewing other clinical or educational assessments for career planning.
• May administer assessments including but not limited to career interest and skill inventories.
• Prepares reports, maintains accurate and thorough documentation, and prepares instructional material.
• Develops and oversees a job seeker's Personal and Career Development Plan, considering and evaluating an individual's history, education level, work experience, personality, strengths, and skills to suggest a career path that matches their background, interests, and needs.
• Determines the need for services and support, such as career exploration (Discovery), career training, internships, and/or job placement.
• Works with individuals to develop and oversee a career pathway plan that includes services, level of support, measurable goals, and progress data.
• Provides feedback and resources to help fulfill career pathway plans.
• Attends all and leads most person-centered planning meetings.
• Participates in team meetings across the agency, and maintains communication with CareerAbility staff, parents, and other Chapel Haven staff and service providers as needed.
• Contributes to, maintains, and updates CareerAbility databases.
• Ensures confidentiality and up-to-date maintenance of all individual reports and records.
• Prepares proposals and supports billing processes as assigned.
• Assists with creating and contributing to CareerAbility curriculum, scheduling, programs, and training.
• Supports staff and individuals with job placement practices including identifying a match, on-boarding, placement success, and retention strategies.
• Collaborates on the development and enhancement of CareerAbility, including its programming and services, staff training, and developing work sites for Discovery, career training, or job placement.
• Acts as liaison with state agencies (such as BRS, DDS, DSS), school districts, and any other external agencies/parties involved with career development for individuals on their caseload.
• Refers individuals to community resources, as appropriate.
• Directly supervises staff (Employment Specialists, Job Coaches, and Career Transition Specialists) supporting employment services including volunteer program, group supported employment, and job coaching.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits
• Full-time employees receive a complete benefits package, including paid time off and tuition reimbursement.
• Part-time employees enjoy a flexible schedule, valuable hands-on experience, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the individuals we support.
• Select Benefits may also be available.
• Opportunities for career advancement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level