Employment Specialist

The Kennedy Collective • Trumbull, CT

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist helps individuals prepare for, obtain, and maintain competitive, integrated employment. The role provides career-development support, job coaching, placement assistance, workplace accommodations, and retention services while building productive relationships with community employers. It combines direct support with employer engagement and job development, helping individuals identify employment goals, develop workplace skills, address barriers, learn job responsibilities, and build independence. Depending on program assignment, the specialist may support T2E, Project SEARCH, DMHAS, BRS, Placement, Ticket to Work, or other Workforce programs. The position is based in Trumbull, Connecticut and requires regular statewide travel according to program, employer, and participant needs. Work takes place in community settings, employer locations, schools, organizational offices, program sites, and other locations. Hours vary by assignment; occasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays may be required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license and a driving record that meets organizational requirements.
• Ability to travel regularly to employer, community, school, and program locations.
• Ability to work independently, organize daily responsibilities, communicate concerns, and complete required documentation.
• Basic computer skills, including email and electronic documentation.
• Ability to satisfy applicable pre-employment and ongoing background-screening requirements.
• Ability to complete and maintain training and certifications required by The Kennedy Collective or the assigned Workforce program.
• Willingness and eligibility to complete federal suitability screening when assigned to SSA Ticket to Work Employment Network services.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in employment services, job development, job coaching, workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, education, human services, or a related setting.
• Experience helping individuals prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment.
• Experience building relationships with employers or community partners.
• CPR/First Aid or other relevant program-specific training, or the ability to obtain it within the timeframe established by The Kennedy Collective.

Responsibilities

• Manage individualized employment services for an assigned caseload, coordinating appointments, employer contacts, job coaching, follow-up services, documentation, and program requirements.
• Develop employment opportunities by learning employers’ workforce needs, identifying positions, matching opportunities to individual goals and abilities, and presenting qualified candidates.
• Build and maintain employer relationships that create opportunities for competitive employment, internships, work-based learning, job shadows, volunteer experiences, interviews, and career development.
• Support career exploration and employment preparation through résumé development, applications, interview preparation, job-search strategies, workplace communication, benefits navigation, and individualized work-readiness instruction.
• Provide individualized job coaching by teaching duties, demonstrating tasks, reinforcing workplace habits, supporting accommodations, and helping individuals meet employer expectations.
• Promote independence by gradually reducing direct support as individuals develop skills, confidence, and natural workplace supports.
• Support placement and retention through onboarding, orientation, workplace adjustment, employer communication, performance concerns, reasonable accommodations, and other employment needs.
• Identify and reduce employment barriers by connecting individuals with transportation, benefits information, community resources, accommodations, technology, training, and other supports.
• Coordinate services with individuals, employers, families, schools, treatment teams, referral sources, funders, government agencies, and other authorized partners.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services, employer contacts, job-development activity, coaching, progress, attendance, placements, retention outcomes, billing support, and other program information.
• Travel throughout the community to meet individuals, conduct employer outreach, visit employment sites, provide coaching, and deliver services.
• Provide coverage across Workforce programs and perform other responsibilities related to participant, program, and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to plan eligibility.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, where applicable.
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions, if eligible.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and floating holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Employee discount and wellness programs.
• Additional voluntary benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED