Employment Specialist

Rise-Services-LL; Bridgewater (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

RISE Services is seeking a compassionate Employment Specialist / Job Coach for a part-time role in Bridgewater, VA. You will support individuals with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment through resumes, interview prep, job coaching, and workplace skills training at employer sites in the community.

The position emphasizes person-centered planning, independence, and ongoing employment retention, with occasional travel within Bridgewater and surrounding

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required when an applicant has an appropriate combination of education, experience, and demonstrated ability to perform the position.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities or others who experience barriers to employment is preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Bridgewater and surrounding communities.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

Responsibilities

• Employment Planning and Career Development: learn participant strengths, interests, skills, and career goals; assist with individualized planning; identify barriers and resources; assist with resumes, applications, and interview prep; conduct mock interviews and teach workplace communication and time management.
• Job Development and Placement: assist with job searches, identify opportunities, assist with applications and onboarding, build relationships with employers, promote inclusive hiring.
• Job Coaching and Employment Retention: provide on-site coaching, teach job duties and safety, support communication with supervisors, develop natural supports, monitor progress and adjust supports.
• Documentation and Service Coordination: complete progress notes, maintain records, track employment outcomes, communicate with stakeholders, participate in team meetings.

Skills

Compassionate

Communication skills

Independent

Flexible schedule

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Experience with disabilities preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic documentation systems

Driver's license

Job description

Employment Specialist / Job Coach - Part-Time

Location: Bridgewater, Virginia and surrounding communities
Pay: $21.00-$22.00 per hour, based on experience
Schedule: Part-time, primarily Monday-Friday
Work Setting: Community-based with regular local travel

Help People Build Careers-and Greater Independence

RISE Services is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Part-Time Employment Specialist / Job Coach to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment.

This is an excellent part-time opportunity for college students, recent graduates, and professionals interested in gaining hands-on experience in human services, psychology, social work, education, rehabilitation, behavioral health, disability services, or workforce development.

In this community-based role, you will work directly with individuals at employer worksites and throughout the Bridgewater area. You will provide individualized employment support, workplace-skills training, job coaching, job-development assistance, and ongoing employment-retention support.

About RISE Services

RISE Services is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful, competitive integrated employment. Through person-centered planning, individualized job development, and workplace support, we help people build successful careers, increase independence, and participate fully in their communities.

What You’ll Do

Employment Planning and Career Development

• Learn each participant's strengths, interests, skills, support needs, and career goals.
• Assist with individualized, person-centered employment planning.
• Help identify barriers to employment and appropriate resources and supports.
• Assist participants with resumes, job applications, and interview preparation.
• Conduct mock interviews and teach workplace communication, professional behavior, time management, and other employment-readiness skills.

Job Development and Placement

• Assist participants with job searches using online job boards, employer outreach, hiring events, networking, and community resources.
• Identify employment opportunities that match participants’ interests, abilities, experience, and goals.
• Assist with applications, interviews, hiring activities, and onboarding.
• Build positive relationships with local employers and promote inclusive hiring.
• Support participants with identifying and requesting reasonable workplace accommodations when appropriate.

Job Coaching and Employment Retention

• Provide individualized job coaching at employer worksites and other community locations.
• Help participants learn job duties, workplace routines, safety expectations, and employer policies.
• Support effective communication with supervisors and coworkers.
• Develop natural workplace supports and strategies that promote independence.
• Monitor progress and gradually adjust supports as participants develop skills and confidence.
• Provide ongoing follow‑along services to promote successful long‑term employment.

Documentation and Service Coordination

• Complete accurate and timely progress notes and service documentation.
• Maintain records in accordance with funding-source and organizational requirements.
• Track employment outcomes, including placements, wages, scheduled hours, and retention.
• Communicate with participants, families, support coordinators, employers, schools, and community partners as appropriate.
• Participate in team meetings, training, and service‑planning activities.

Qualifications

We welcome applicants with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds.

• College students currently pursuing a degree in psychology, social work, human services, education, special education, counseling, rehabilitation, behavioral health, sociology, workforce development, or a related field are encouraged to apply.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred but not required when an applicant has an appropriate combination of education, experience, and demonstrated ability to perform the position.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities or others who experience barriers to employment is preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, coaching, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a flexible community-based schedule.
• Ability to complete documentation accurately and on time.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout Bridgewater and surrounding communities.
• Ability to meet applicable background‑check and employment requirements.

Preferred Experience

Experience in any of the following is helpful but not required:

• Supported Employment or Individual Supported Employment
• Job coaching or job development
• Disability services
• Direct support or behavioral health
• Special education or education
• Case management
• Workforce development
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Working with employers or community organizations
• Medicaid Waiver services
• ADA and reasonable workplace accommodations
• CESP, ACRE, DSP, or other employment-support training or certification

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is:

• Compassionate, patient, and committed to helping people become more independent.
• Comfortable working one-on-one with individuals with disabilities.
• Comfortable meeting participants and employers throughout the community.
• Able to motivate and coach others without doing tasks for them.
• Dependable and organized.
• Able to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Professional and confident when communicating with employers and community partners.
• Flexible and able to adapt support to each participant’s individual needs and goals.
• Interested in developing practical experience in disability services and employment support.

Why Join RISE Services?

• Make a direct and meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
• Gain valuable hands‑on experience in human services and disability employment.
• Excellent opportunity for college students seeking meaningful part‑time work related to their field of study.
• Flexible, community-based work.
• Mileage reimbursement for approved work‑related travel.
• Paid training and professional development.
• Opportunities for advancement within a growing organization.
• Join a collaborative, mission‑driven team.

Benefits

Part‑time employees may be eligible for:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Tenure Bonus Program
• Mileage reimbursement for approved work‑related travel
• Paid training and professional development

Eligible full‑time employees may also receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Long‑term care option

Benefit eligibility requirements apply.

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a community‑based position, not a fully remote or traditional office‑based position. Services are provided at employer worksites and other community locations throughout Bridgewater and surrounding communities.

The position is part-time, primarily Monday through Friday. Some flexibility may be needed based on participant work schedules, interviews, employer needs, or onboarding activities.

For college students, this position can provide practical experience working directly with individuals with disabilities, employers, and community partners while developing skills applicable to careers in psychology, social work, education, counseling, rehabilitation, human services, and related fields.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RISE Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We recruit, hire, train, compensate, and promote employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.