Employment Specialist

Access-Services; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; 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 in the Lehigh Valley, PA is seeking an Employment Specialist to help individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment and personal growth. The role blends direct service, case management, employer relationships, and advocacy, with community-based work, office duties, and hybrid remote flexibility.

Travel across the Lehigh Valley is required. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma or GED, CES P or Basic Employment Services Certificate, and four years of

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• CESP certification or completion of Basic Employment Services Certificate within six months of hire.
• Experience in employment services or related field preferred.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Help individuals obtain and maintain competitive community-based employment.
• Provide job coaching and on-the-job training tailored to each individual.
• Develop and monitor individualized employment plans with stakeholders.
• Coordinate schedules and participate in team meetings as liaison to families and employers.
• Travel locally to deliver services in community settings and offices.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Public relations

Independent work

Disability services

Education

High school diploma or GED

CESP certification

Basic Employment Services Certificate

Tools

Office software

Data entry

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.