DS Employment Specialist

City of Virginia Beach•Pembroke, MA

1d•$44,907 - $69,971

About The Position

The City of Virginia Beach is seeking an Employment Specialist in its Human Services Department to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve independence through competitive, integrated employment. The role provides individualized coaching, builds partnerships with local employers, and supports clients’ long-term career success. The position assesses clients’ strengths and career interests, develops and implements Person-Centered Individual Support Plans, secures employment opportunities suited to clients, and delivers one-on-one job-site training. It also advocates for clients with business supervisors, oversees group-supported employment sites, maintains client records and billing documentation, and collaborates with families, employers, and support teams. The specialist must be able to transport clients safely using a City or personal vehicle, manage behavioral crises using Therapeutic Options Techniques, and uphold human-rights and confidentiality guidelines. The position requires a current and valid driver’s license. Employees may be expected to work beyond normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs or City-wide emergencies. This is an Alpha I position, requiring employees to work during inclement weather regardless of the City’s operational status.

Requirements

Any combination of education above the high school level and/or experience equivalent to four years in fields using relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities, such as sociology, psychology, or special education.
Current and valid driver’s license.
Ability to safely transport clients using City or personal vehicles.
Ability to manage behavioral crises using Therapeutic Options Techniques and uphold human-rights and confidentiality guidelines.
Ability to work during inclement weather regardless of the City’s operational status.
Employees may be expected to work hours beyond their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs or City-wide emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Experience providing community-based vocational services.
Experience implementing skill-development and support plans.
Experience writing reports and documentation, preferably in electronic records.
Experience working with a variety of people in community settings.
Experience implementing behavior-management techniques.
Experience coordinating services with other agencies and supports.
Experience working varied shifts.

Responsibilities

Assess individual strengths and career interests and develop and execute Person-Centered Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
Build relationships with local businesses to secure competitive employment opportunities suited to client strengths.
Provide systematic, one-on-one training at job sites to teach tasks, develop workplace skills, and support success in clients’ roles.
Act as a bridge between clients and business supervisors, advocating for fair treatment, compliance, and growth opportunities.
Supervise group-supported employment sites, ensuring materials are available, duties are assigned, and productivity standards are met.
Maintain precise client charts, with an 85% or higher compliance target, and prepare timely billing documentation to meet state, federal, and CARF accreditation standards.
Safely transport clients using City or personal vehicles.
Manage behavioral crises using Therapeutic Options Techniques while upholding human-rights and confidentiality guidelines.
Collaborate with families, employers, and support teams.
Work hours beyond the normal schedule when needed for short-term department needs or City-wide emergencies, and work during inclement weather regardless of the City’s operational status.