Employment Program Manager

RISE Services LLC•Harrisonburg, VA

3d•$23 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

RISE Services is a private human services organization that supports individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. We specialize in Individual Supported Employment, providing person-centered, community-based services that help individuals identify career goals, secure meaningful employment, and develop the skills and supports needed for long-term success. This position serves Harrisonburg and surrounding communities in the Shenandoah Valley, which may include Rockingham County, Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro, Bridgewater, and nearby areas based on program needs. Our services are delivered in highly regulated funding environments and require strict adherence to service authorizations, documentation standards, and compliance requirements. RISE Services emphasizes professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and measurable employment outcomes. We partner with individuals, families, employers, referral sources, and community organizations to remove barriers to employment and promote independence, inclusion, and economic self-sufficiency. The Employment Program Manager (EPM) is a hands-on, working supervisor responsible for providing direct employment services while supporting the day-to-day performance of Employment Specialists assigned to the region. This is an entry-level management position that remains heavily focused on direct, in-person client services in community and workplace settings. This is not primarily an administrative or office-based management role. The position will initially be part-time, with the opportunity to grow into full-time employment as the regional caseload and staffing needs increase. The EPM must be available to accept new referrals, provide direct services, assist with service coverage, and help build the Harrisonburg-area program. Part-time billable expectations will be based on the employee’s approved schedule and assigned caseload. Upon transition to full-time status, the EPM will be expected to provide a minimum of 30 billable hours per week through direct Individual Supported Employment services, including job development, job coaching, employer engagement, and employment-retention support. The EPM plays an important role in ensuring that authorized services are delivered, documentation is completed correctly and on time, staff receive appropriate guidance, and individuals experience continuity of services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, counseling, rehabilitation, psychology, education, business, or a related field, with at least three years of experience in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, disability services, workforce development, or a related human services program; or
High school diploma or equivalent with at least seven years of relevant experience in supported employment, vocational services, disability services, workforce development, or a related field.
Valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout Harrisonburg and surrounding communities.
Ability and willingness to transport clients when required.
Availability to work a flexible schedule based on client employment needs, which may include early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends.
Knowledge of supported employment, job development, job coaching, workplace accommodations, and employment-retention strategies.
Ability to manage documentation, deadlines, compliance requirements, and competing priorities.
Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to provide direct feedback, address performance concerns, and hold staff accountable.
Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions in community-based settings.
Ability to use electronic health records, scheduling systems, email, videoconferencing platforms, and other workplace technology.
Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, registry checks, driving-record reviews, and employment verifications.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory, team-lead, training, or staff-mentoring experience is preferred.
The strongest candidate will understand that this is a working-supervisor position, not a desk-based management role.
The ideal applicant is comfortable providing direct client services, building relationships with local employers, responding to staffing challenges, reviewing documentation, coaching employees, and helping expand services throughout the Harrisonburg area.
This position is best suited for someone who is accountable, organized, solution-focused, comfortable working independently, and willing to step in wherever needed to ensure individuals receive consistent and effective employment services.

Responsibilities

Ensure employment services are delivered in accordance with Individualized Plans for Employment, service authorizations, individual support plans, funding requirements, and organizational policies.
Monitor service delivery through direct observation and participation in community and workplace settings.
Ensure individuals receive appropriate job development, job coaching, workplace assistance, and employment-retention support.
Identify service gaps, barriers, and unmet authorized hours and implement timely corrective strategies.
Help develop employer and community partnerships throughout the Harrisonburg service area.
Support the continued development and expansion of services within the region.
Maintain an active caseload and meet the billable-service expectations established for the employee’s part-time or full-time schedule.
Provide direct, in-person Individual Supported Employment services in community and workplace settings.
Assist individuals with career exploration, job searches, applications, interviews, onboarding, workplace training, and long-term job retention.
Engage employers to identify employment opportunities, address workplace concerns, and develop appropriate natural supports.
Observe and support individuals at job sites to address performance, communication, accommodations, workplace integration, and other employment-related needs.
Provide backup coverage during staff absences, vacancies, call-outs, or other service gaps.
Model person-centered, ethical, and compliant service-delivery practices.
Provide regular supervision, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned Employment Specialists.
Conduct individual supervision meetings and document required follow-up.
Assign and balance caseloads to support timely delivery of authorized services.
Monitor staff schedules, productivity, service delivery, documentation, and employment outcomes.
Address performance concerns promptly and escalate concerns when additional corrective action is required.
Participate in performance evaluations, corrective-action processes, and performance-improvement planning.
Ensure adequate client coverage throughout the assigned service area.
Serve as a backup direct-service provider when staffing shortages or other coverage gaps could interrupt authorized services.
Complete all progress notes and required employment documentation accurately and within established deadlines.
Review staff documentation for timeliness, accuracy, quality, medical necessity, and alignment with authorized services.
Respond promptly to documentation corrections, compliance findings, and requests for additional information.
Maintain records that are complete, professional, person-centered, and audit-ready.
Help protect the organization from billing losses caused by missing documentation, late documentation, unsupported billing, or undelivered services.
Maintain client confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, funding-source requirements, and organizational policies.
Monitor measurable outcomes, including referrals, employer contacts, interviews, job placements, authorized-service utilization, and employment retention.
Identify cases that are not progressing and develop specific strategies to address barriers.
Participate in audits, internal reviews, quality-improvement activities, and corrective-action plans.
Monitor recurring service or documentation concerns and assist with implementing sustainable solutions.
Promote competitive, integrated employment based on each individual’s strengths, interests, preferences, abilities, and informed choices.
Assist with onboarding, field training, and mentoring new Employment Specialists.
Reinforce expectations related to documentation, productivity, professional conduct, communication, and service delivery.
Demonstrate effective job coaching, employer engagement, and community-based service techniques.
Share relevant supported-employment resources, best practices, and program updates with staff.
Coordinate with the Assistant Director of Programs and senior program leadership regarding staffing, service coverage, referrals, and regional operational needs.
Communicate professionally and promptly with individuals, families, employers, referral partners, coworkers, and other stakeholders.
Participate in required supervision, leadership meetings, staff meetings, training, and in-service activities.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and address concerns through established supervisory channels.
Represent RISE Services professionally throughout the community.
Perform other duties as assigned to support client needs, program operations, regional growth, and organizational priorities.
Direct job coaching and employment-retention support
Job-site observation and assessment
Employer engagement and workplace problem-solving
Community-based job development
Direct observation and training of Employment Specialists
Coverage of authorized services during staffing shortages or service gaps