Employment Specialist

The League For People with Disabilities•Baltimore, MD

84d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Specialist is responsible for supporting individuals with disabilities in identifying, pursuing, obtaining, and maintaining meaningful employment opportunities that align with their interests, abilities, strengths, and individualized goals. This position provides individualized employment support using a person-centered, strengths-based, and community-integrated approach. The Employment Specialist works closely with participants, families/support teams, employers, community partners, and League staff to develop employment opportunities that promote independence, self-sufficiency, confidence, and quality of life. The Employment Specialist serves as an advocate and employment resource for participants while helping employers understand the value of inclusive hiring and workplace supports.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong communication, interpersonal, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to build positive relationships with participants, employers, coworkers, and community partners.
Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment and maintain professional boundaries.
Basic computer skills and ability to learn electronic documentation and organizational systems.
Commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving greater independence and meaningful employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with disabilities, employment services, vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, human services, or a related field.
Associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Services, Rehabilitation, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Business, Workforce Development, or a related field.
Experience with supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, workforce development, or community-based services.
Knowledge of person-centered planning and employment services for individuals with disabilities.
Familiarity with local workforce resources and community employers.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized employment services based on each participant's interests, strengths, abilities, preferences, and employment goals.
Assist participants in identifying realistic and meaningful career and employment opportunities.
Support participants in developing employment goals and action plans consistent with their individualized service plans.
Assist participants with job searches, applications, resumes, interview preparation, and other employment-readiness activities.
Provide coaching and support during the employment process while promoting participant independence.
Assist participants in developing appropriate workplace behaviors, communication skills, time-management skills, and problem-solving strategies.
Provide on-the-job support and coaching when appropriate.
Gradually reduce direct support when the participant demonstrates increased independence, while maintaining appropriate follow-up.
Assist participants with maintaining employment and addressing workplace concerns.
Promote competitive, integrated employment whenever appropriate and consistent with the participant's goals.
Establish and maintain professional relationships with local businesses, employers, workforce organizations, community agencies, and employment resources.
Identify potential employment opportunities that match participant interests, abilities, and career goals.
Conduct employer outreach and develop employment partnerships.
Educate employers regarding inclusive employment practices and the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities.
Assist with job matching and facilitate communication between participants and prospective employers.
Coordinate interviews and employment-related meetings.
Follow up with employers and participants regarding employment progress.
Maintain professional relationships with employers while protecting participant confidentiality.
Facilitate employment-readiness activities individually or in small groups.
Help participants identify and build transferable workplace skills.
Encourage participants to take an active role in their employment decisions and career development.
Participate in participant planning meetings and contribute employment-related information and recommendations.
Implement employment-related goals and strategies identified in the participant's plan.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation.
Document participant progress, employment contacts, job development activities, job coaching, and follow-up services.
Complete required reports, tracking documents, progress notes, and other program documentation.
Maintain records in accordance with League policies, applicable regulations, funding requirements, and program standards.
Protect confidential participant information and follow HIPAA and other applicable privacy requirements.
Develop opportunities for participants to explore employment and career options within their communities.
Coordinate community-based employment activities.
Help participants learn how to independently navigate employment-related environments and resources.
Promote inclusion, independence, self-determination, and meaningful participation in the community.
Identify community resources that may assist participants with employment, transportation, education, training, or career advancement.
Work collaboratively with Meaningful Day staff, program leadership, families, support coordinators, employers, and other members of the participant's support team.
Communicate participant progress, concerns, successes, and employment needs appropriately.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, case reviews, and other required meetings.
Coordinate services to promote consistency across the participant's support team.
Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate respectful communication with participants, families, coworkers, and community partners.
Promote participant choice, dignity, independence, and self-determination.
Encourage participants to advocate for themselves in employment settings.
Assist participants in understanding workplace expectations and available supports.
Help identify barriers to employment and develop practical strategies to address them.
Advocate for reasonable workplace accommodations when requested or appropriate.
Promote equal access to employment opportunities without discrimination.
Follow all League policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Follow applicable DDA, Medicaid, program, employment-service, and funding requirements.
Complete required training within established deadlines.
Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards.
Report safety concerns, incidents, suspected abuse/neglect, or other required matters according to League policy and applicable law.
Maintain confidentiality of participant, employee, employer, and organizational information.