Employment Specialist

Hands of Heartland•Fremont, NE

7d•$0 - $19

About The Position

The Employment Specialist assists people with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with their vocational goals. The role includes intake into the Supported Employment program; pre-vocational and career planning; coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of employment services; and program support and records administration. The position serves the Bellevue and Omaha areas, with travel to Fremont as needed. Reliable transportation is required, and mileage is reimbursed. The specialist works with clients, employers, and vocational rehabilitation counselors to identify individualized employment opportunities, support job placement and training, coordinate transportation, arrange accommodations, and provide follow-along assistance to help maintain employment. The role also includes developing employment or education plans with clients, conducting outreach, and maintaining complete and confidential client records.

Requirements

Reliable transportation and auto insurance.
Successful completion of a background check and abuse registry checks.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Solid relationship-building skills.
Willingness to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and weekends.
Ability to handle a variety of situations and personalities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect individual rights.
Ability to project a caring and professional image.
Communication, observation, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Ability to use verbal and physical intervention to redirect and/or restrain a person who is physically aggressive or self-abusive; training will be provided.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including bending, stooping, sitting, and reaching.
Ability to lift up to 75 pounds as needed.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with people with developmental disabilities is highly preferred.
A current Nebraska CNA license; the employer states it pays more for this qualification.

Responsibilities

Receive and review referrals from Vocational Rehabilitation and develop service proposals based on requested services.
Complete initial visits with clients and establish trusting, collaborative relationships focused on competitive employment in community job settings.
Evaluate clients’ skills, aptitudes, and limitations to determine appropriate employment support services.
Conduct individualized job development and job search activities based on the interests and uniqueness of people on the caseload.
Meet with employers to learn about business needs, explain program supports, and describe client strengths relevant to positions.
Coordinate and provide job placement and training to develop the skills clients need to succeed at work.
Provide individualized follow-along support, monitor the job environment and employee status, and intervene as needed to maintain job placement.
Coordinate transportation to and from job sites.
Educate and support employers as agreed upon by clients, including negotiating job accommodations and maintaining follow-along contact with employers.
Conduct outreach when clients appear to disengage from services.
Participate in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors to coordinate client services.
Develop individual employment and/or education plans with clients, incorporating input from mental health teams and family members with permission.
Complete administrative duties and maintain complete, confidential, and organized individual records.
Perform other duties as assigned.