Employment Consultant

Best Buddies International; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Financial security

Health and wellness

Time off

Job summary

Best Buddies International in Chicago seeks an Employment Consultant to coach individuals with IDD through the job search, onboarding and ongoing training. You will manage essential documentation, compliance, and employer relationships to foster successful, sustainable employment and independence.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of experience, strong interpersonal and presentation skills, proficiency with Office 365, and willingness to travel locally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of professional experience.
• Ability to engage comfortably with individuals with IDD, addressing sensitive topics with empathy and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage, support, balance and steward multiple relationships.
• Public speaking, group facilitation, and delivering engaging presentations.
• Familiarity with Office 365; basic understanding of social media platforms.
• Strong writing ability, attention to detail and time management.
• Capable of working autonomously while collaborating effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the local area; occasional weekend work may be necessary.
• Access to an automobile with applicable insurance or reliable transportation.
• Employment is contingent upon state accreditation and the ability to obtain federal suitability clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centered coaching and job-search support for individuals with IDD.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with employers and guardians; guide participants toward success.
• Maintain documentation and ensure compliance; record progress in SETWorks.
• Support travel training and transportation arrangements as needed.
• Participate in fundraising events and community outreach activities.
• Collaborate with Jobs Program Supervisor on billing and reporting for funding.
• Promote inclusion, advocacy, and ongoing program engagement.
• Assist with program marketing and events.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Empathy

Communication

Time management

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree or 2+ years experience

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Employment Consultant

Department: State Operations and Programs

Reports to: Program Supervisor, Jobs

Salary Range: $42,000-$45,000

Position Overview: The primary responsibility of the Employment Consultant is to function as a coach, mentor, and vocational support professional working one-to-one with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This includes supporting participants through the job seeking process, onboarding and ongoing training while managing essential documentation, compliance requirements, and employer relationships to foster successful and sustainable employment. The Employment Consultant empowers individuals to achieve meaningful employment by providing personalized guidance, skill development, and advocacy. This position supports individuals with IDD as they navigate barriers, maximize their potential, and secure opportunities that enhance their independence and overall quality of life.

Job Requirements: Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of professional experience, Best Buddies program experience a plus. Ability to engage comfortably with individuals with IDD, addressing sensitive topics with empathy and professionalism. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage, support, balance and steward multiple relationships while guiding individuals toward success. Basic skills in public speaking, group facilitation, and delivering engaging presentations. Familiarity with Office 365 and a basic understanding of social media platforms. Strong writing ability, attention to detail and proficiency in project and time management. Capable of working autonomously while also collaborating effectively in a dynamic fast-paced environment. Willingness to travel frequently within the local area and use a personal cell phone for work-related communication. Fundraising events are a core part of the organization's success and require full staff participation, therefore, occasional weekend work may be necessary to support events and other initiatives throughout the year. Access to an automobile with applicable insurance or other reliable transportation. Employment is contingent upon state accreditation and the ability to obtain federal suitability clearance for the Ticket to Work Program.

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs: Utilize a person-centered approach supporting individuals in job searching efforts in industries and opportunities that match their skills and interests, within their communities and based on transportation options available. Upon job placement, the Employment Consultant provides the individual with support during orientation, onboarding and throughout the early stages of training with the goal of fostering an independent work environment and eventually fading support to quarterly contact. Develop and maintain positive relationships with the individual, guardian when applicable, families, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, advocates, and employers. Identify natural supports within the individual's workplace to provide additional support and ensure the individual is embraced and fully included as a member of the team. Compassionately encourage and educate individuals, parents and/or guardians of the opportunities and possibilities available to anyone seeking a career, as well as the benefit to programs such as Ticket to Work. Guide participants, guardians and family members in navigating Social Security issues, offering referrals to local Work Incentives and Planning and Assistance (WIPA) and/or Community Work Incentive Counselors (CWIC) available through their state Vocational Rehabilitation. Maintain regular communication with employers/supervisors advocating for the participants' rights to equal treatment and fair wages, while encouraging self-advocacy and maintaining positive relationships with employment partners. Maintain detailed and timely documentation of participant interactions, progress and outcomes in SETWorks for compliance and program tracking. Perform regular caseload reviews w/supervisors ensuring relevance and alignment with participant goals and needs. Provide individuals with travel training and/or assistance with public transportation including advocating with funding agencies to identify additional transportation services available. Understand and educate participants on safety guidelines in the workplace including emergency procedure quizzes to ensure the welfare, health, and safety of all participants. Encourage participants to explore other Best Buddies programs that can help them build valuable social connections and expand their network.

Marketing and Fund Development: Demonstrate the Best Buddies mission in action by contributing images and content for various social media platforms, participating employer recognition activities and various annual initiatives. Support local Best Buddies fundraising events through community outreach, generating revenue, etc. Represent the organization at local networking events, expanding the network of potential participants, employer partners and community collaborations.

Operations: Assumes full responsibility for a caseload of successfully employed job participants, including the documentation, tracking billable services, and compliance requirements within SETWorks secure database. Completes required paperwork in a timely and organized manner, including but not limited to Individualized Written Program Plan (IWPP), annual paperwork, safety exercises, and all reports required for local funding agencies. Collaborates with Jobs Program Supervisor to complete accurate billing records and ensure timely submission for funding reimbursement. Attend regular staff meetings to discuss referrals, updates and in-service training, contributing to team coordination and knowledge sharing. Participate in annual compliance training on in-house LMS covering ethics, safety, and program policies. Attend quarterly Ticket to Work training modules to identify, assign, support and report on ticketholder participants in reaching greater levels of financial independence through work and earnings.

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International's core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Benefits

• financial security
• health and wellness
• time off