Employment Specialist

Abilities First, Inc.; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Employment Specialist to join their team. This role is crucial in training and supervising individuals with developmental disabilities at community-based work sites. You will be responsible for ensuring quality documentation, advocating for employee success, and maintaining strong relationships with employers and community members. The position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth. If you are passionate about making a difference and supporting individuals in achieving their goals, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Human Services or related field required.
• 1 year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Train and supervise individuals at community-based work sites.
• Ensure quality documentation and account for hours spent supporting individuals.
• Advocate for employee success and maintain positive relationships.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Flexibility

Teamwork

Education

Associate's Degree in Human Services

Experience with individuals with developmental disabilities

Job description

Employment Specialist

Pay Rate: $17.80 to $19.80 per hour

Schedule: Day shift with flexibility needed to include evenings and weekends to meet the employer’s needs.

Abilities First, Inc., has been making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities for almost sixty years. We offer a wide variety of services including school and preschool programs, day habilitation, residential habilitation, community habilitation, and employment services.

Abilities First recognizes the value of diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds, and does not discriminate in hiring. We are inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender, and gender identities. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Abilities First is seeking a full-time Employment Specialist. This position is responsible for the training, supervision, and completion of tasks at community-based work sites while the individual is in the intensive phase of ACCESS-VR and the Employment Training Program.

Position Summary

The Employment Specialist is responsible for the training, supervision, and completion of tasks at community-based work sites while the individual is in the intensive phase of ACCES-VR and OPWDD Employment Training Program (ETP) sponsorship. The Employment Specialist is also responsible for submitting quality documentation as required as well as accounting for all time spent supporting, training, and providing transportation for individuals receiving funding from ACCES-VR and OPWDD Employment Training Program (ETP) in the intensive phase of employment.

Position Standards

1. Complete all documentation according to department, agency, federal and state regulations.
2. Completely and accurately account for all hours spent supporting individuals in the intensive phase of employment and log those hours on an approved form.
3. Responsible for providing and accounting for transitional coaching hours under the ACCES-VR and OPWDD Employment Training Program (ETP) contract.
4. Responsible for quality control of all work performed at job sites.
5. Responsible for engaging in and directing all job tasks performed by individuals at work sites and ensuring they are properly trained to complete tasks.
6. Provide coverage for co-workers when circumstances warrant and/or when requested.
7. Responsible for training, supervision, and coordination of services to ensure individual goals are achieved and independence is fostered in each employee’s work setting.
8. Attend all relevant case reviews, ISP meetings, required in-services, and all other necessary meetings.
9. As a representative of Abilities First, Inc., maintain a positive and proactive relationship with all employers, service providers, parents/guardians, co-workers, and community members.
10. Advocate for each employee’s ongoing success in a positive, supportive, and creative manner.
11. Work in cooperation with Job Developers to facilitate a team approach to the vocational experience for individuals with disabilities and support the individual until he/she stabilizes in their current position.
12. Work in cooperation with the Director, Job Developer, Extended Service Provider, and employer to determine when an employee is ready to transition to extended services and facilitate that transition.
13. When between assignments or during other periods of “down time,” examples of assigned tasks include, but are not limited to, completing additional documentation, lending support to co-workers at additional work sites, lending support in other departments, transportation, and attending additional trainings offered by the staff trainer or outside agencies for the purpose of professional growth and enhancement.
14. Ensure all required trainings and certifications required are current and seek further support and training where needed.
15. Adhere to agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, which requires all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers, and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith, and respect for others and the law.
16. Follow all agency policy and procedures and demonstrate continuous regard for personal safety and the safety of others.
17. Perform other appropriate job-related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.
18. Incorporate CORE concepts of person-centered excellence by respecting people’s concerns and responding accordingly and will use “teachable moments” to assist people in understanding and exercising their rights.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all-inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

1. Have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., bend, squat, pivot, and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques).
2. Have the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Human Services or related field with one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a community-based or vocational setting. A combination of education and experience that, in the opinion of the Director, qualifies the candidate may be deemed acceptable.
• Must have a current NYS driver’s license deemed “acceptable” by our insurance carrier.
• Possess verbal and written communication skills in English to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.
• Ability to manage a flexible schedule.
• Have the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Have the ability to push and pull individuals in wheelchairs, lift, bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot, and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques), with or without a reasonable accommodation.