Employment Training Specialist

YAI • White Plains, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Training Specialist ensures the health, wellness, and safety of individuals by providing appropriate supervision and managing crisis situations in adherence to policies, procedures, and regulations. This role supports individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in achieving their employment goals by developing job placements, supporting person-centered advocacy, and facilitating ethical decision-making. The specialist is responsible for managing a caseload, arranging workplace visits, conducting meetings, and liaising with Care Managers and other professionals. They assist individuals in maximizing their strengths and abilities, upholding their rights, and building positive relationships in the workplace. The role involves pre-employment counseling, job development, and facilitating training groups to teach professional skills. Direct on-site job and skills training, coaching, and support are provided to individuals with moderate to complex needs. Regular travel within the assigned region is required to visit employed individuals, gather feedback from managers, and address any issues. The specialist acts as a team member, providing feedback and communicating programmatic needs, while maintaining a solution-oriented approach. They foster a therapeutic environment using methods like Personal Outcome Measures and Person-Centered Thinking, modeling professionalism, punctuality, and accountability. Training in fire safety and emergency drills is facilitated. A strong understanding of specialized clinical knowledge for specific needs (e.g., adults, challenging behaviors, autism, complex medical needs) is necessary for supporting individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment. The role requires accurate and timely completion of all required paperwork and documentation for compliance and billing, adhering to HIPAA regulations. In some cases, direct support professional tasks, including personal care, may be performed outside of employment settings if trained and authorized.

Requirements

• HS Diploma or its educational equivalent
• One year of work experience providing vocational or pre-vocational services to individuals with disabilities
• Completes necessary trainings, including OPWDD approved vocational rehabilitation or supported employment training program and annual retraining(s)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, as required by caseload, including occasional evening and/or weekend hours
• Regular travel throughout assigned region(s)
• Basic computer skills – including email, utilizing Workday and related systems (DA, etc.) to complete tasks
• Ability to model and teach work readiness skills and appropriate workplace behavior at all times
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Highly flexible personality type
• Willingness to take initiative
• Willingness to work with the I/DD populations in an occupational setting
• Comfort working with employers
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to assist people we support in performing the functions of their jobs.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or some college preferred; may be required for certain contracts
• Two (2) years’ experience assisting people with barriers to employment; may be required for certain contracts
• Work or life experience with individuals with I/DD
• Valid NY State Driver's License highly preferred for assignments in areas with limited public transportation

Responsibilities

• Ensures health, wellness, and safety by providing appropriate supervision and managing crisis situations according to policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ensures person-centered plans are implemented and assists with various tasks for individuals, including developing staff action plans, job placement, and supporting person-centered advocacy.
• Supports individuals with I/DD to realize, set, and meet their employment goals, assisting them in overcoming personal barriers.
• Engages in respectful communications using person-first language to help individuals understand their goals and ambitions.
• Manages a caseload of individuals, arranging and scheduling workplace visits, virtual and one-on-one meetings, and coordinating required meetings.
• Liaises with Care Managers and other professional supports.
• Assists individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities, upholding their personal rights, and providing emotional support.
• Facilitates communication, socialization, and self-expression, and builds positive relationships by interacting with others at worksites.
• Provides pre-employment counseling to explore career interests and supports job development activities for unemployed individuals.
• Facilitates training groups where professional skills and behaviors are taught and developed to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment.
• Provides direct on-site job and job skills training, coaching, and support at job sites for individuals.
• Utilizes support skills for individuals with moderate to complex levels of need.
• Regularly travels across the assigned region to visit employed individuals at their workplaces, speaking with managers to obtain feedback on performance and addressing concerns.
• Escalates issues and concerns to an administrator for support as needed.
• Serves as a member of a team, providing feedback and communicating programmatic needs.
• Maintains a solution-oriented approach during conflicts.
• Maintains a therapeutic environment through Personal Outcome Measures, Person Centered Thinking, and Informed Decision Making.
• Models professionalism, punctuality, ownership, and accountability.
• Effectively manages time and responsibilities, ensuring all individuals/cases are appropriately supported and monitored.
• Facilitates learning and training in fire safety, including emergency and evacuation drills.
• Develops and maintains understanding of specialized clinical knowledge for person-specific needs related to employment.
• Reviews and completes all required paperwork and documentation for compliance and/or billing accurately and within appropriate timeframes.
• Complies with all Federal, State, Local, and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including HIPAA.
• May perform direct support professional tasks, including personal care and assisting in activities of daily living (ADLs) in other settings if appropriately trained and authorized.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED