Community Employment - Employment Specialist

Shangri La•Salem, OR

20h•$5,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing individual support services to people with I/DD who are pursuing community employment. Services may include but are not limited to; person centered planning, discovery, skill assessment, volunteer opportunities, job training, customized employment, job retention and networking with employers in the community. This position has a monthly monetary expectation of $5500.00 and is subject to change with 30 day prior notification to the Employment Specialist as part of the job performance expectation.

Requirements

Two (2) year degree in Health Services or related field, with two (2) years of work experience in the health services and/or mental health field.
Two (2) years of experience must have been in a position that included sales and training responsibilities.
Demonstrated ability to use, learn, and/or become proficient in current and future technology to fulfill job responsibilities.
A current Oregon driver’s license, acceptable driving record and the ability to get from worksite to worksite in a timely manner.
Continuous, effective and professional use of interpersonal relationship, communication and organizational skills.
Ability to initiate and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders while communicating inside and outside the organization to exchange ideas and gather information.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated skills for motivating persons to achieve their potential.
Ability to manage priorities; exercise consistent, sound judgment; understand and apply rules, regulations and legal requirements.
Ability to develop new processes and procedures to assist participants with task analysis and redesign of work for our clients to be able to successfully do their jobs.
Regular need for assessment of risk, analysis of options and decisions without complete information.
Ability to work continuously using hands and fingers, while standing and walking.
Occasionally works while driving equipment or vehicles, sitting, crouching, kneeling, twisting and lifting/carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience may be substituted for educational requirements.
Preference will be given to those individuals that have experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Provides one on one support in exploring vocations while conducting a comprehensive discovery profile utilizing the identified process that includes an individualized employment profile.
Refines possible vocational themes to create a plan for obtaining integrated community employment.
Engage local businesses in identifying opportunities for work-site assessments, informational interviews, job tours and job shadows and customized employment opportunities.
Support people in achieving and maintaining integrated and competitive employment by providing assistance with; resumes, interviews, communication, personal goals and skill development.
Provides orientation and training for the individual at their place of employment and trains the transitioning job coach for long term supports.
Documents all employment efforts in appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation or Support document.
Assists employee in all areas defined by their community employment agreement that will include learning new tasks and assignments given by the employer.
Train employee in other vocational support skills related to the job such as mobility, work schedule, close use, appropriate attire, orienting skills and social interactions. Works with Employment Leadership to continue to develop trainings that are applicable to the caseload they are assigned.
Maintain all necessary on the job records. Record contact and pertinent information with employee, employer, and management personnel
Works with leadership on a fading plan when the individual is ready to rely on natural supports in the work place.
Provides opportunities for the participant to be a self-advocate by increasing awareness of self-advocacy methods and techniques, encouraging and assisting the participant to speak on his or her own behalf when there are barriers to his or her service needs or personal fulfillment.
Encourages participant’s decision making and promotes autonomy.
Ensures that participants are equipped with everything they need to be able to engage in their community and will advocate with and/or for participant to obtain equipment needed.
Provides support to people using a person-centered approach and encourages co-workers to use person centered practices.
Assists and supports the participant to develop strategies, make informed choices, follow through on responsibilities and take risks.
Informs and educates persons served regarding rules, regulations and laws that apply and the consequences of failing to abide by them.
Maintains ongoing knowledge of support needs including protocols, medications, and positive behavior support plans for assigned participants including annual training to support documents and any annual nurse training requirements.
Maintains a caseload for service delivery to participants.
Feedback of participant support needs, including preferred learning and communication style.
Documentation of participants goal achievements and input.
Recommending, discussing goals with participants and leadership
Tracking hours spent in program
Completes documentation and notification expectations according to Shangri-La Policy and Procedure and Oregon administrative rule.
Provides and receives organizational support, contributes to organizational development, and participates in professional development activities as a member of the Community and Life Enrichment Services Team.
Must maintain safe working environment at all times in accordance with program expectations and Oregon OSHA.
Must attend and successfully complete all required orientation, training and health testing.
Maintains all required certifications and licenses throughout employment.
Attends and participates in required in-service training and meetings.
May be required to participate in searches for lost persons per policy.
Performs other duties as assigned.