Employment Specialist for People with Disabilities

inc•Brooklyn, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Brooklyn Community Services is one of Brooklyn’s first and largest non-sectarian social services agencies. BCS, which presently serves more than 10,000 individuals annually, is committed to a broad and diverse range of services including education and child care; services to strengthen families; and services to foster self-sufficiency for adults. Reporting to the Director of Supported Employment, the Employment Specialist provides the supports that individuals need to obtain and maintain paid competitive employment within the community. The Employment Specialist provides individualized job development, job placement, and on the job coaching once an individual is employed.

Requirements

Must have a Bachelors plus a minimum of one year experience in rehabilitation placement or related fields and enrollment in a specialized course approved by ACCES-VR.
Applicant must be vetted by ACCES-VR.
Knowledge of employer expectations of performance and employee behaviors.
Knowledge of the local job market.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent judgment and sensitivity to the needs of clients.
Must undergo pre-employment screenings such as the Criminal Background Check required by OPWDD.

Nice To Haves

Can include occasional evening and/or weekend work depending on client’s employment schedule, and travel within NYC as required.

Responsibilities

Meet with employers in the community and educate them about individuals with disabilities.
Develop employment opportunities in the community.
Assist individuals with disabilities with finding and retaining employment through active, individualized job search and preparation, and post-employment job coaching at the work site.
Develop positive working relationships with employers.
Directly assist employers in communicating with individuals, to clarify job duties, to provide safety information, and to facilitate productivity, client motivation, and client attendance.
Provide job coaching and proactive, extended support services to assigned caseload of employed clients, both at and away from the job site, to assist them to remain employed in the integrated labor market.
Provide individuals with travel training, counseling, case management, and other supportive services needed to maintain employment.
Advocate for clients’ possible need for accommodation on-site as well as off-site advocacy needs.
Assist individuals who have lost their jobs to return to employment by re-evaluating their employment goals, needs, and interests, and by assisting them with interviews.
Enlist assistance of parents and natural supports.
Complete required chart documentation and monthly reports in a timely manner.