Employment Specialist (39174)

BIRCH FAMILY SERVICES INC•New York, NY

34d•$24 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Specialist will provide all necessary assistance, support, training, and coaching on needed skills to enable program participants to obtain or maintain competitive employment in integrated work settings. This role supports services such as Supported Employment (SEMP), ACCES-VR, or Community Based Pre-Vocational (Pre-Voc) training. The position is responsible for screening applicants, developing assessment opportunities to understand strengths and areas for growth, and creating learning plans to drive skill development. The specialist will teach skills for independence in the job search process, complete discovery reports if necessary, and develop work experiences (paid or unpaid) aligned with program and participant goals. This role requires strong personal organization to meet deliverables, including maintaining calendars for billable time, managing task lists, completing data collection within 48 hours, and drafting Staff Action Plans and monthly progress reports. The Employment Specialist will assist participants in securing work opportunities, support them in applying for paid employment, serve as a liaison between employers and participants, and assist employers with position modifications. They will also provide training and ongoing monitoring of participants' work skills and social skills at worksites, and may provide travel training. Maintaining ongoing contact with employers to address issues and ensure successful job retention is crucial. The role requires flexibility in schedule to meet coaching and support needs, potentially including work outside typical hours. Communication and documentation with family members, residence managers, service coordinators, and participation in Life Plan meetings are also key responsibilities. The specialist will have weekly meetings with a coach/supervisor to discuss progress, identify challenges, and propose solutions. Participation in all required trainings and maintaining certifications is mandatory.

Requirements

Basic computer proficiency
Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities
Background, passion and proven results for teaching other people
Passion for helping make the job landscape more equitable for people with disabilities

Responsibilities

Participate in the screening of applicants for supported employment or pre-vocational training services.
Develop key questions or learning experiences to assess present levels of skills with potential program members.
Provide feedback/input to Birch leadership on the appropriateness of Birch services for the individual.
Develop assessment opportunities and experiences to understand top strengths and areas for growth.
Develop a scope and sequence (a learning plan) for the individual to drive skill development.
Work with and seek feedback from direct manager to ensure plans, tactics, and approach are effective.
Devise internal learning plan goals and monitor progress.
Teach skills and create learning experiences for program members to lead to greater independence in the job search process.
Proactively share plans and seek feedback from direct manager/coach.
Complete a discovery report for the Employment Training Program (ETP) within the allotted timeframe, if necessary.
Attend OPWDD Innovations trainings (ETP 101) and seek support from supervisor/coach on effective strategies for completing discovery.
Lead efforts to create and develop work (paid or unpaid) experiences aligned with service/program goals and participant goals.
Develop volunteer experiences, internship opportunities, situational assessment sites, and paid work opportunities.
Contact and convince potential employers and work experience sites.
Help modify existing jobs to better meet the program member’s needs (customization).
Provide information on incentives and supports available to employers.
Maintain personal organization systems to ensure all deliverables are met.
Maintain calendar to clearly identify all billable time (direct and indirect hours) worked.
Maintain task/to-do lists for work with supervisor/coach and with each program member.
Complete data collection (progress notes) within 48 hours of providing services.
Draft Staff Action Plans (SAPs) within 2 weeks after a Life Plan meeting.
Complete monthly progress reports and any additional required documentation.
Assist program participants in securing work opportunities.
Support individuals in applying for paid employment.
Serve as a liaison between a potential employer, program member, and other supports/stakeholders.
Assist an employer, as necessary, with position modifications.
Teach program members the skills and knowledge required to navigate the job search process more independently.
Provide training and intermittent/ongoing monitoring of the participant’s general work skills and specific to the job at work sites.
Ensure participants are learning their work requirements and new skills for career advancement.
Ensure participants are developing the social skills necessary to perform their work in an integrated setting.
Provide travel training and/or assist in securing alternative means of transportation to and from worksite.
Foster a relationship with and maintain ongoing contact with employers to identify problems and assist the individual in addressing concerns.
Meet with a coach/supervisor at least once per week.
Proactively name progress towards goals, identify what’s on track and not on track, and propose solutions.
Seek advice from colleagues and external partners to support own development.
Participate in all required/mandated trainings.
Maintain all certifications related to job responsibilities.