Employment Specialist/Job Coach (Athens)

Phoenix•Athens, AL

About The Position

The Employment Specialist/Job Coach develops job opportunities and advocates for individuals with disabilities seeking employment. The role assists referred individuals with job readiness, assessment, job placement, job coaching, follow-up, and training, and provides case management and social service referrals as needed. Depending on the program assignment, the specialist may deliver group and individual employment-readiness training, advise the facility on participants’ employment readiness, act as a resource on employer needs, and provide job coaching as directed by referral sources. For Employee Support Services, the position provides selected case-management services to Phoenix employees certified as having a disability. These may include direct intervention, job coaching, community-service referrals, work-site visits, competitive employment evaluations, reasonable-accommodation support, vocational counseling, behavior management, compliance certification, personnel assessment, reporting, and file maintenance. The specialist coordinates with supervisors, project managers, and Phoenix vocational staff. The role also completes required professional-development training and maintains records and reports in accordance with policy, referral-source, accreditation, contract, and program requirements. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with a schedule of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pay is $21.15 per hour.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of experience in a rehabilitation, nonprofit, or comparable setting in areas such as case management, service provision, working with individuals with disabilities, job development, job placement, follow-up, or training.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and general computer operation.
Experience in marketing and public relations.
Strong working knowledge of disability management and awareness.
If operating an agency vehicle, eligibility for agency insurance coverage, a good driving record, a valid driver’s license, and/or the required level of personal auto insurance.
Ability to satisfactorily complete a background check in accordance with company requirements.
Ability to communicate tactfully and maintain confidentiality.
Adequate spoken communication, including sufficient speech volume, and adequate writing, reading, and mathematics skills.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with management and peers.
Strong organizational, project-planning, and management skills, with demonstrated analytical and multitasking abilities.
Strong listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
Proficiency in general reporting and basic case-file management.
For Employee Support Services assignments, ability to possess or obtain a government secret clearance and pass a background check within a reasonable time.
For Employee Support Services assignments, ability to gain unescorted access to Redstone Arsenal.
Ability to communicate by conversation and telephone and use emergency information systems.
Ability to move independently across surfaces and situations, move safely around the work area, retrieve items from high and low areas, and perceive size, discrimination, temperature, shapes, and/or textures.
Physical stamina to work at least eight hours per day.
Ability to adapt positively to changes in routine, complete assignments independently, sustain attention, analyze variables, and choose effective courses of action.
Ability to maintain stable work behavior, adequate coping skills, good attendance, and confidentiality.
Ability to resolve problems, handle conflict, make effective decisions in emergencies, and exercise good judgment to maintain a safe work environment.

Responsibilities

Develop jobs and advocate for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment.
Provide employment-readiness training, individually and in groups, as well as assessment, job development, job placement, job coaching, and follow-up for referred individuals.
Provide job-coaching assistance as directed by the referral source.
Serve as a facility consultant regarding participants’ employment readiness and as a primary resource on current employer needs.
Provide case management and social-service referral assistance as needed.
For Employee Support Services, provide selected case-management services, including direct intervention, referrals to social-service and community agencies, and work-site visits.
Develop and maintain competitive employment evaluations and reasonable accommodations in accordance with AbilityOne guidelines.
Provide vocational counseling, behavior management, compliance certification, and personnel assessment as applicable to the assignment.
Maintain contact and communication with supervisors, project managers, and Phoenix vocational staff to support effective case management.
Complete training required by the Phoenix Professional Development Plan.
Provide information for statistical requirements and maintain reporting and records in accordance with policy, referral-source, and accreditation requirements.
Maintain working knowledge of applicable contract requirements, AbilityOne regulations, CARF standards, Social Security guidelines, Phoenix policies and mission, departmental goals, and sponsoring-agency guidelines.
Participate in mission-based community activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.