Extended Employment - Employment Specialist

Easterseals New Jersey•Hillsborough Township, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist helps individuals secure and maintain competitive employment by fostering independence, building employer partnerships, and identifying workplace supports for long-term success. Easterseals New Jersey has worked to meet the continuously growing needs of people with disabilities and their families since January 8th, 1948. Its Supported Employment program, employment specialists work with participants to identify career goals and achieve them. Through individualized support and training, participants have all the tools they will need to transition into a new career.

Requirements

Possess a valid driver’s license & acceptable driving record
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or rehabilitation-related field from an accredited college and a minimum of one year related experience preferred.
AA degree in Human Services or rehabilitation-related field from an accredited college and at least two years of related experience.
A High School Diploma and at least three years of related experience.
Demonstrated experience in business outreach, job development, sales, marketing, or community engagement is strongly preferred, along with the ability to understand and communicate the needs of both consumers and the business community, and a proven track record of developing partnerships and generating opportunities through networking.

Responsibilities

Actively build and maintain relationships with local businesses, employers, and community organizations to create job opportunities, develop partnerships, and expand employment pipelines for program participants.
Serve as a primary job developer, consistently identifying, cultivating, and securing new employment opportunities aligned with consumer goals.
Represent the program in the community by networking, attending events, and conducting outreach to increase program visibility and generate referrals.
Assist consumers in overcoming barriers to employment and securing competitive employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.
Complete initial intake, develop employment plans utilizing person-centered planning, and maintain accurate consumer files.
Conduct individualized job searches and match consumers to opportunities based on their skills, interests, and goals.
Provide on-the-job coaching and hands-on training to ensure consumers successfully learn and maintain required job skills.
Support consumers in developing or strengthening soft skills, work behaviors, and overall job readiness.
Collaborate with referral sources and community partners to market the program and drive consistent referral flow.