Employment Specialist IDD

West Bay RI•Warwick, RI

About The Position

As an Employment Specialist, you help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) discover their strengths, explore career interests, and achieve greater independence through meaningful employment. Serving as a vocational mentor, social coach, and community advocate, you build relationships with the people supported and local employers to create employment opportunities aligned with each individual’s interests, abilities, preferences, and goals. This is a community-based, relationship-driven role focused on helping individuals prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment while building confidence, independence, and workplace skills. You explore individuals’ interests, strengths, abilities, preferences, and career goals; identify support needs, barriers, and accommodations; and help them prepare for employment through skill-building and community-based experiences. You develop employment opportunities, build employer and community relationships, and provide individualized job coaching and ongoing support. You also maintain accurate vocational documentation and deliver services using a person-centered approach grounded in dignity, respect, choice, and inclusion.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
ACRE Certification or equivalent required.
Minimum one year of relevant experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Valid driver’s license.
Valid vehicle inspection, registration, and insurance.
Flexibility required for the Monday–Friday schedule.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred in special education, psychology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Explore individuals’ interests, strengths, abilities, preferences, and career goals through interviews, observation, assessments, and hands-on experiences.
Identify skills, support needs, potential barriers, and workplace accommodations.
Prepare individuals for employment by building skills related to workplace expectations, routines, communication, interviewing, and professionalism.
Provide opportunities to develop workplace skills through volunteering, work trials, on-the-job training, and other community-based experiences.
Identify and develop employment opportunities aligned with each individual’s strengths, preferences, capabilities, and career goals.
Build positive relationships with employers and community partners.
Use creative negotiation and customized employment strategies to develop meaningful job opportunities and work experiences.
Assist individuals in obtaining integrated employment consistent with their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
Provide individualized job coaching and ongoing support to help individuals learn responsibilities and succeed in the workplace.
Promote independence while providing support to address workplace challenges and changing needs.
Maintain regular communication with employees and employers to monitor satisfaction, address concerns, and promote long-term job retention.
Maintain accurate and timely case notes, service documentation, employer contacts, and vocational progress records.
Document job coaching, skill development, employment activities, and progress toward individual goals.
Provide services using a person-centered approach grounded in dignity, respect, choice, and inclusion.