Employment Specialist - Vocational Services

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.•Old Bethpage, NY

57d•Onsite

About The Position

Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at FREE, enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time. Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy. POSITION SUMMARY Under the supervision of the Sr. Director of Employment Services, the Employment Specialist will provide direct care and personal adjustment services for individuals participating in the ACCES-VR Intensive caseload and for individuals hired under TRI's New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). This includes job development, job coaching, skills training, assessment, counseling, intervention, advocacy and creating employer contacts in the community. Case management, documentation and employer contacts are also required along with other services needed to maintain the employment of our participants.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
Minimum of one (1) year of relevant work experience required including experience working with individuals with mental health diagnoses or disabilities.
Computer literacy
Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Must be able to work independently
Strong problem-solving skills
Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential
Flexible Schedule (including nights/weekends)
Valid Driver’s License and satisfy criteria to be an agency driver required
Has values and philosophy that support inclusion of people with disabilities in the community

Nice To Haves

Sales/Marketing or previous job developing experience preferred

Responsibilities

Identifies suitable jobs or businesses consistent with the applicants’ desires and limitations.
Determines which potential workers are best suited for placement into an existing job opening.
Develops employment proposals for job candidates; negotiates schedules, pay rates, benefits, etc.
Provides vocational counseling and guidance to individuals.
Instructs vocational candidate in resume writing, job search and interview techniques.
Assists individual with job applications, job interviews and orientation programs.
Provides services with monthly follow-ups until individual reaches stabilization at a new job.
Interviews and evaluates applicants to determine eligibility for services.
Assesses individuals for job readiness through observation and testing.
Develops and implements instructional plans to train the worker to perform all required job duties accurately and efficiently; re-assesses and alters the strategies/plans, as needed.
Ensures the provision of any/all services which makes employment more obtainable/maintainable for consumer.
Promotes and develops employment and on-the-job training opportunities.
Orients individual to new environments; provides job orientation and assessment.
Ensures individual can accurately manipulate equipment at work.
Supervises maintenance of production levels as expected by the employer.
Ensures individual is safely transported to/from work site; provides/arranges transportation, including in own vehicle when needed, and travel training.
Provides ongoing training in community awareness.
Converses with clients to reinforce positive behaviors and promote social interaction.
Acts as a role model to supervisors and co-workers on appropriate ways to interact with consumers.
Ensures that the individual's rights are respected, needs are met and intercedes on their behalf as necessary.
Advocates with coworkers and employer to promote acceptance of workers in natural process of the work site.
Assists employees/employers in revising standards that exclude applicants from the job.
Collaborates with employer for purposes of communication regarding client’s needs and progress and to address and resolve any arising problems.
Performs job duty analysis and creates personalized accommodations to benefit and improve learning process of people supported.
Acts as a liaison from the community to the program for the individual.
Reports ongoing problems and suggest solutions to improve working environment/conditions.
Establishes positive working relationships with co-workers, management, clinicians, and collateral providers.
Reports all violations and/or accidents in Agency or personal vehicle in accordance with NYS regulations and Agency policy.
Prepares reports to ACCES-VR, OPWDD and OMH and other agencies as specified to ensure people supported obtain their vocational services that promote individual choice and will maximize their success in an employment setting.
Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
Performs other duties as assigned.