Employment Specialist

Trinity Services Inc.•Joliet, IL

13d•$39,000 - $45,000

About The Position

The Employment Specialist develops job opportunities and placements for people with disabilities, helping identify clients’ skills and goals and find and apply for jobs that align with them. The role includes contacting employers, identifying suitable positions and tasks, and facilitating positive employment outcomes through dignified, respectful, and professional supports. The specialist travels and works in multiple counties to provide employment services. The Employment Specialist works under the supervision of the Director of Employment Services or Associate Director to the Network Director and reports to the Network 6 Director. The position is based in Joliet, Illinois, and has a stated schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend hours. Salary is $39,000–$45,000 plus bonus. The role includes client intake and assessment, job-search and interview coaching, job development with community employers, on-site employment support, and job-retention services. It also involves coordination with Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) counselors, maintaining client and billing records, delivering employment workshops and presentations, and providing mentorship and supervision to career mentors and job coaches as needed. The position requires travel between counties and towns; mileage is reimbursed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Service, Psychology, or a related field.
Computer skills, including Word, Excel, email, and internet.
Valid driver’s license.
Maintain a current CPR and First Aid card and comply with other state-mandated trainings, such as Rule 50; training is provided through Trinity Services.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants, DRS, community employers, coworkers, and supervisor.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Strong commitment to supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Ability to maintain confidential information in a trusted and ethical manner.
Ability to travel between counties and towns.
Ability to lift over 40 pounds from floor to waist unassisted, push and pull 75 pounds, complete deep knee squats, and push wheelchairs up to 200 pounds.
Ability to remain stationary, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods, and operate motor vehicles.
Ability to perform physical activities that may include driving, balancing, pulling, pushing, standing, climbing, grasping, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Psychology preferred.
Outside sales or marketing experience is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Promote a work environment that respects people served and treats them with dignity and respect.
Conduct intake with prospective clients and their guardians or families, explain services, and gather required information.
Prepare referrals for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).
Assess each new client’s skills, abilities, interests, education, work experience, and other information relevant to employment placement.
Work with people seeking employment to prepare their Individual Service Plans.
Arrange job shadowing and trial work assessments as needed.
Coach clients on job-search techniques, applications, and interview presentation.
Contact and market to employers, including through networking and cold calling, to solicit job openings.
Help clients obtain job leads from available sources and advocate with employers for job opportunities.
Assist clients with paper and electronic job applications as requested and needed.
Help clients prepare for job interviews as requested and needed.
Work with employers to identify job tasks that may be modified to fit clients’ abilities.
Support job retention through individual counseling and job groups covering topics such as keeping a job, budgeting, and workplace conflict.
Participate in required staffings with DRS counselors and clients to review employment plans and identify problems before job loss occurs.
Provide on-site support at community employers to promote successful employment outcomes.
Maintain positive and productive working relationships with DRS counselors.
Maintain client files and document services, ensuring records are accurate and consistent with Trinity Services’ mission, values, and operational needs.
Work with multiple day programs to provide employment groups and workshops on community employment, soft skills, and job retention.
Ensure job coach progress notes are detailed, accurate, consistent, and timely for each billed period.
Give public presentations promoting employment services at events such as school IEPs, conferences, workshops, and service fairs.
Manage billing and advocate for payments with DRS staff.
Complete daily, weekly, and monthly required paperwork accurately, consistently, and on time.
Provide mentorship and supervision to career mentors and job coaches as needed.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as instructed.