Employment Specialist

Access Services, Inc.; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Security

Time to Recharge

Invest in Your Future

Built into the Job

SupportBeyond Work

Grow With Us

Job summary

Access Services, Inc. is seeking an Employment Specialist to support individuals with disabilities across the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania in achieving meaningful employment and personal growth.

The role involves direct service, case management, employer relationships, and advocacy to promote long-term success in the workplace. This position offers a blend of community-based work, office duties, and hybrid remote flexibility with regular travel throughout the Lehigh Valley area.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with education/training methods for individuals with disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to work well with others and be a productive team member.
• Ability to assist individuals with physical disabilities.
• Proficiency with workplace software and basic hardware/troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and well-being of all individuals receiving services.
• Support and instruct individuals to provide opportunities for growth.
• Assist in developing and coordinating program components and schedules.
• Participate in interdepartmental meetings and liaise with various stakeholders.
• Monitor action plans and individualized employment plans for participants.
• Help individuals locate competitive community-based employment.
• Provide on-the-job training and follow-along supports tailored to the individual.
• Complete assessments, job site analyses, records and reports.
• Attend required meetings and trainings.
• Know emergency procedures and coordinate them for individuals.
• Travel during a normal workday to meet expectations and provide services.

Skills

Communication

Independence

Teamwork

Mobility assistance

Tech literacy

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Access Services is seeking a dedicated Employment Specialist to support individuals with disabilities throughout the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania in achieving meaningful employment and personal growth. Thispartners closely with individuals, families, employers, community agencies, and vocational rehabilitation professionals to develop and implement individualized employment plans. The Employment Specialistassistsindividuals in securing andmaintainingcompetitive community-based employment, provides job coaching and on-the-job training, and delivers ongoing support to promote long-term success in the workplace. This position combines direct service, case management, employer relationship building, and advocacy while ensuring the safety, well-being, and development ofeach individualserved. The role offers a combination of community-based work, office responsibilities, and hybrid remote flexibility, with regular travelrequiredthroughout the Lehigh Valley area.

Essential Functions

• Help ensure the safety andwell beingof all individuals receiving services.
• Assist, support and instruct individuals receiving services so that each individual will be afforded appropriate opportunities for growth and development.
• Assistdirector with the development and coordination of the designated programcomponentto which the Employment Specialist has been assigned, including the coordination of individual schedules.
• Participate in interdepartmental team meetings and serve as a liaison with the individual, family members, residential support staff, county case managers, program management, and employer/community contact persons.
• Overall responsibility for the development, implementation, and monitoring of action plans and OVR Individualized Plans for Employment for the assigned individuals.
• Assistindividuals inlocatingcompetitive work opportunities in the community.
• Assistindividuals inmaintainingemployment opportunities.Provide on thejob training that is tailored for the individual and satisfies the specifications of the job. Provide follow alongsupportsappropriate tothe situation and the individual.
• Complete necessary assessments, job site analysis, data records, placement records,correspondenceand all required reports as well as file management.
• Attend required meetings andtrainings.
• Have knowledge of emergency procedures and provide instruction and coordination of emergency procedures to individuals in this service.
• This position requires the ability to travelduring the course ofa normal workday to successfully carry out the expectation of this position including attending offsite meetings,andprovidingservices in the community

Theselected candidate must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks, physicalexamination,and a driving history record.

Driving Requirements:

• A valid US driver's license for at least two years, not including time with permit.
• No serious traffic convictions within the past three years. (Serious convictions include, but are not limited to, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or three or more traffic violations and/or at-fault accidents within thatperiod).
• Access to a reliable vehicle during work hours.Vehiclemust have valid registration and inspection stickers.
• Valid auto insurance. You will be asked to provide proof that you are a covered driver on the policy.

Education:

High school diploma or GEDrequired.

Certification:

A Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) certification from the Association of People Supporting Employment First for those individuals with at least one year of experience working in employment services, OR, satisfactory completion of a forty hour training to earn the Basic Employment Services Certificate of Achievement through the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators for those individuals without prior employment experience,achieved within six (6) months of hire.

Experience:

Experience in public relations, human services, rehabilitation, human resources, employment, counseling, education, ora relatedfield. Four years of related experience,preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with methods and materials for education/training ofindividuals with disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to work effectively with people and be a productive member of a team.
• Ability to physically support/assist individuals with physical disabilities.
• Proficiencyin, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications,platformsand technologies. Ability to navigate network drives and basic hardware use and troubleshooting.

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Work in program sites and the community routinely providing direct care and/or support with individual(s). Stand, sit or run by self, orto provideproper care and supervision with an individual. Able to move and stay with an individual to keep them safe, both in home environment and community, both at near and far distances, even when an individual may struggle to meet identified expectations. Able toassistan individual who has fallen, regardless of weight or size. Walk, climb stairs by self, orto providedirect care and/or support.Workin a standard office environment.Utilize desktop computer equipment on a daily basis.Able to lift or move items associated with sedentary work and light work (exert up to 20 lbs.) Travel to offsite locations and regional office locations if necessary.

Compensation, Schedule, and Benefits

• The work schedule is35-40 hours/weekwithinregular business hours with flexibility to adapt to the needs of the caseloads,including nights and weekends as needed.
• The positionstarts at $18/hour with increases based on education andexperience.

WhatYou'llGain at Access Services

When you join our team,you'renot just getting ajob,you'restepping into a career with real support, growth, and impact. We offer a benefits package designed to meet you where you are in life.

• Health & Security:Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, plus company-paid life insurance, disabilityprotectionand catastrophic sick leave.Access Services covers up to 88% of healthpremiumwith many employees paying less than $150/month.
• Time to Recharge:Full-time employees start their first year earning up tonearly6weeksof paid time off (20+ PTO days plus 9 paid holidays), with even more time added as you grow your career with us.
• Invest in Your Future:401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement program, and access to college tuition discounts.
• Built into the Job:Mileage & toll reimbursement.
• SupportBeyond Work:Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential resources for you and your family, including:
  • Counseling and emotional support through in-person,telehealthand text therapy.
  • Financial and legal guidance
• Grow With Us:Paid training, ongoing professional development, and opportunities to learn and advance across diverse roles and programs.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.