ASL-Supported Employment Specialist

Brooklyn Community Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooklyn Community Services in Brooklyn, NY is seeking an Employment Specialist with ASL to help deaf individuals obtain and maintain paid competitive employment in the community. You will provide interpretation during interviews and support job development and coaching.

Reporting to the Director of Supported Employment, you will build relationships with employers, conduct job searches, and deliver on-site coaching as needed, including occasional evenings or weekends to align with client

Qualifications

• Fluency in ASL (American Sign Language) required.
• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of one year experience in rehabilitation placement or related fields and enrollment in ACCES-VR-approved course.
• 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 Criminal Background Check required by OPWDD.

Responsibilities

• Meet with employers in the community and educate them about deaf workers, and individuals with other disabilities.
• Provide interpretation for deaf individuals and employers during interviews (English to ASL/ASL to English).
• Develop employment opportunities in the community especially for deaf individuals.
• Assist individuals with disabilities (hearing and non-hearing) 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. Can include occasional evening and/or weekend work depending on client’s employment schedule, and travel within NYC as required.
• 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.

Skills

ASL fluency

Communication skills

Job placement knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Brooklyn Community Services in Brooklyn, NY is seeking an Employment Specialist with ASL to help deaf individuals obtain and maintain paid competitive employment in the community. You will provide interpretation during interviews and support job development and coaching.

Reporting to the Director of Supported Employment, you will build relationships with employers, conduct job searches, and deliver on-site coaching as needed, including occasional evenings or weekends to align with client