Employment Specialist

Upstate Caring Partners; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering individuals through innovative employment solutions. As an Employment Specialist, you will play a crucial role in connecting program participants with local businesses, providing essential job coaching and training in both soft and hard skills. Your expertise will help foster positive relationships that promote sustainable employment opportunities, ensuring participants thrive in their careers. This dynamic position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a supportive work environment that values growth and collaboration. If you're passionate about helping others succeed, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Low-cost individual health insurance

Dollar for dollar retirement match (up to 7%)

Life insurance

Voluntary benefits

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Service awards

Employee appreciation events

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree required; Bachelor’s preferred in related fields.
• 2+ years experience in employment, sales, or customer service.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess referrals; develop relationships with local businesses.
• Provide job coaching and retention services for program participants.

Skills

Effective communication

Problem-solving skills

Work ethic

Advocacy

Job coaching

Education

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Office of Mental Health (OMH) trainings

Innovations and SETI certification

Job description

The Employment Specialist will screen and assess incoming referrals, develop and maintain positive, professional partnerships with local businesses in order to promote employment opportunities for program participants. This position will provide classroom education and community-based work experiences and evaluations and job coaching supports to individuals in a work environment. The Employment Specialist must be familiar with supports to include advocacy; training in soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving skills, work ethic, grooming/hygiene, response to supervision, etc., retention services to provide ongoing work supports, goal planning, treatment team interaction, establishment and cultivation of natural supports at the work site and interactions with funding sources and employers.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screening and assessment Completion of intake/screening; complete discovery phase; vocational goal planning.
• Provide soft and hard skill training and assessment via Employment Center, classroom and/or community based experiences.
• Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with local businesses to build a strong base of potential employers.
• Develop and maintain effective communication with program participants, families, referents and treatment team providers.
• Provide job placement services such as career counseling, assistance with applications, interview skill building and presentation of work incentives.
• Job coaching:
  • Skill training, training in soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving skills, work ethic, grooming/hygiene, response to supervision, etc.
  • Coaching services are usually at the worksite, occasionally provided off-site.
• Retention/follow-along services:
  • Provide ongoing advocacy and support to ensure long-term job retention and to facilitate career growth.
• Documentation:
  • Provide accurate, detailed, and timely documentation of supports.
  • Ensure compliance with all pertinent government and agency regulations and operating standards.
  • Responsible to complete periodic peer reviews of program participant records.
• Attend treatment team meetings, participate in community meetings and trainings as applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s Degree required. A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Rehab Counseling or other related field preferred.
• At least two (2) years’ experience in employment and/or sales or customer service.
• Innovations and SETI certification is required but may be obtained on the job.
• Must complete and be current in Office of Mental Health (OMH) required trainings to provide onsite services in their facilities.
• Travel is required. Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License.
• This position requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and collaboration with ACCES-VR, OPWDD and OMH is essential.

BENEFITS

Our work environment provides the opportunity to grow and learn in a fast-paced atmosphere. We offer competitive benefits and salary to include a low-cost individual health insurance plan, dollar for dollar retirement match (up to 7%), life insurance, voluntary benefits and generous paid time off.

• Direct Deposit
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous PTO Plans (Sick, Vacation and Employee Leave)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards
• Employee Appreciation Events
• Employee Discounts

Upstate Caring Partners is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs in Central New York for individuals of all abilities and their families. If you believe in empowering people, Upstate Caring Partners is an excellent place to start or grow your career.