Placement Specialist

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE SERVICES • Cleveland, OH

4d • $18 - $19

About The Position

Vocational Guidance Services (VGS), a private, not-for-profit vocational rehabilitation agency, is hiring a Placement Specialist in Cleveland, Ohio. The role supports people with disabilities or other barriers to employment by developing and coordinating vocational, job-readiness, and placement services. The position works with program participants, community employers, and referral sources, and maintains required case documentation and billing records. Regular travel throughout Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties is expected, potentially up to 75%. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated salesmanship and marketing skills.
• Obtain CESP certification within 18 months of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and appropriately match workers’ traits and personalities with employer needs and job demands.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
• Clean background check and compliance with Medicaid requirements.
• Reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

• CESP certification upon hire is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop Work Adjustment and Community Based Work Adjustment opportunities for participants as prescribed by the referring counselor and aligned with each participant’s vocational goal.
• Complete vocational authorizations for types of work participants may be interested in.
• Ensure appropriate Job Coach coverage at work sites and provide backup Job Coach coverage when necessary.
• Coach participants in independent employment activities, including finding opportunities, preparing resumes, applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, and following up after interviews.
• Develop, implement, review, and revise an individual written Placement Success Plan with each participant and the referring counselor.
• Meet regularly with participants to review progress and update their Placement Success Plans.
• Prepare and finalize participant resumes.
• Develop, coordinate, and provide Pre-ETS training services in Northeast Ohio schools, and expand those services.
• Provide Pre-ETS services according to referral-source authorizations.
• Match and place participants in suitable competitive employment consistent with their vocational goals, interests, aptitudes, skills, and limitations.
• Arrange job interviews and accompany participants to interviews when necessary.
• Use a team approach to plan, develop, implement, and monitor placement activities.
• Analyze jobs on site and recommend job accommodations, modifications, or assistive technology where needed.
• Provide post-employment retention services for 90 days after placement or for the period specified by the OODVR Manual.
• Conduct required follow-up activities to evaluate job development and placement services.
• Honor participant preferences and actively seek participant input.
• Obtain written job orders documenting position duties, education requirements, and employer needs.
• Market placement services to businesses through in-person, written, and telephone communications.
• Build professional relationships with employers to address hiring needs and develop suitable opportunities for participants.
• Support successful outcomes in Work Adjustments and Community Based Assessment.
• Advocate with local employers on behalf of participants.
• Recruit participants referred by OOD, BWC/MCO, VA, and other sources for career exploration, work adjustment, community-based work adjustment and assessment, job-readiness training, summer youth work experience, and placement services.
• Maintain frequent communication with referring counselors through calls, emails, faxes, reports, and meetings.
• Arrange and conduct staffing meetings with participants and referring counselors to resolve difficulties or differences of opinion.
• Maintain case files and documentation in accordance with funding-source, CARF, government, and agency requirements.
• Prepare and submit accurate, timely billing reports to referring agencies and promptly resolve billing issues with referring counselors.
• Write detailed, accurate case notes in designated case-management systems and record employer contacts, job orders, interviews, and placements.
• Coordinate with rehabilitation staff and provide information about employment opportunities, labor-market trends, and employer attitudes for vocational planning.
• Pursue personal and professional development by attending seminars and workshops and joining professional organizations.
• Participate actively on the Placement team and communicate thoroughly with all involved parties.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere through professional conduct and communication with customers, vendors, clients, participants, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Provide backup and support for staff who are ill or on vacation.
• Maintain regular attendance and follow agency safety policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time