Employment Specialist

Easter Seals Hawaii; Hawaii; On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Easterseals Hawaii is seeking an Employment Associate to work directly with job seekers, helping them develop employment opportunities and providing ongoing on-site support across Hawaii. The role involves coaching individuals in job-related tasks, documenting progress, and collaborating with community partners to expand opportunities.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, flexibility, and a track record of supporting individuals with employment barriers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with persons with employment barriers to find and maintain gainful employment in the community is highly preferred.
• Experience in job development and job coach training is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop employment opportunities by networking with business communities.
• Coach and train Job Seekers to achieve independence and good life.
• Provide on-site job support to participants throughout Hawaii.
• Complete required documentation timely and professionally.
• Attend internal and external agency meetings as needed.
• Provide VWATS services in high school classrooms or virtual classrooms.

Skills

Patience

Cultural sensitivity

Communication skills

HIPAA compliance

Tech literacy

Training and coaching

Time management

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

FoC web platform

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

iPad/Tablet

Job description

Are you a self-motivated and reliable person who can work with adults with disabilities while helping them develop their skills and grow? Then we need you! At Easterseals Hawaii, we are dedicated to serving people with disabilities and building communities of Aloha where everyone has the ability to live independent, fulfilling lives. The Employment Associate works directly with Job Seekers to develop employment opportunities, coach and train individuals in job-related tasks and behavior, and provide ongoing, on-site job support participants throughout Hawaii. Our skilled staff will provide you with the training you need to feel comfortable and confident in all aspects of the role.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Makes decisions and takes actions that are aligned with ESH policies, standard operating procedures, and precedents.
• Networks with business communities to establish relationships that develop job opportunities that support integration and employment outcomes as well as micro-enterprise for ESH Job Seekers.
• Provides individualized training and coaching that supports Job Seekers to achieve the highest level of independence possible in pursuit of their definition of a “good life.”
• Completes required documentation such as reports, data collection, and assessments in timely and professional manner.
• Attends and participates in various internal and external agency meetings as needed. (e.g. DD Council, Workforce Solutions, etc.)
• Provide VWATS services in high school classrooms or through virtual classrooms when requested and approved by the high school.
• Follows organizational guidelines to promote health and safety.
• Monitors, responds to and reports issues of concern to the Program Manager.
• Accurately submits timesheets, leave requests, required credentialing documents, work related training and other required paperwork by the assigned deadline via the Family of Company’s (FoC) web-based platforms.
• Attends and participates in FoC and department meetings & trainings as required.
• Provides services under the Home & Community Waiver Services program as directed by management.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Education, Experience & Training Equivalent to: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule is highly preferred.
• Experience working with persons with employment barriers to find and maintain gainful employment in the community is highly preferred.
• Experience in job development and job coach training is highly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Exercise patience and understanding working with participants of many skill levels and individual needs.
• Be culturally respectful while working with an ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse population.
• Communicate effectively (verbally and written), and read, using the primary language within the workplace.
• Exercise confidentiality and discretion pertaining to the work environment as required by HIPAA.
• Be committed to the values of the organization while demonstrating good judgment, flexibility, and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Operating knowledge of a computer, iPad or tablet, applications and software, standard office equipment and Microsoft (Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Utilize computer and cell phone for effective communication.
• Work comfortably with individuals at all levels within the organization.
• Commitment to ongoing training and development as it relates to clinical skills.
• Problem Solving: Calmly handle, and intervene, when necessary, behavioral and health related incidents.
• Action Orientation: Observation of and responsiveness to audio and visual cues from participants, other staff members, and the environment.
• Time Management: Prioritize between and handle multiple tasks, projects, and schedules with varied deadlines (both extended and compressed/rushed).
• Communication: Clear and effective oral and written communication with a variety of individuals, including families, participants, guardians, co-workers, volunteers, supervisors/managers, etc.
• Deductive/Inductive Reasoning: Capability to apply and combine pieces of information and general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense or to form conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Physical Requirements

• Frequent bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, twisting when working with participants.
• Responsive to audio and visual cues from participants and their families, other staff members, and the environment Work calmly during behavioral and health-related incidents.
• Use logic and reasoning for anticipating future needs, goals, and events.
• Stand or sit for extended periods of time, stand for up to 6-8 hours a day.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and loading of materials up to and including 50lbs.
• Provide assistance during transfers when applicable.
• Some participants may require the use of a Hoyer lift for transfers.
• Frequent driving (to and from office, the community, schools and participants’ homes) when applicable.
• Work at participants’ homes, community settings, and ESH facility, depending on assignment.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Ability to obtain and maintain criminal record clearance through the Department of Justice (DOJ). The People & Performance Department must analyze DOJ/FBI live scan reports in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, as well as fitness for the position. Reliable transportation needed. (For locations where driving is required) Must have a valid Driver’s License with Insurance, proof of current vehicle registration and safety check; maintain a clean driving record. Must pass health screenings, obtain vaccinations, and clear TB testing based on company policies. Obtain and maintain clearance through the Office of Inspector General. Obtain and maintain current First Aid and CPR certification. Must attend all required training.

Time Type: Full time Compensation: 22-24 hourly

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas as deemed fit for the organization.

Easterseals Hawaii is an equal opportunity employer.

Make a difference in your community — Join Easterseals Hawaii

For over 75 years, Easterseals Hawaii has been serving children, youth and adults with disabilities within the community.

In addition, Easterseals Hawaii is part of a family of companies — a strategic collection of non-profit organizations with deep expertise and a passion to disrupt and transform home and community-based care.

When you join our family of companies — Easterseals Hawaii, Catalight and Easterseals Northern California — you will be part of a social enterprise committed to creating greater equity for people with developmental disabilities and building more inclusive communities.

Together we have nearly 700 employees in Hawaii, Northern California and across the U.S.

We provide a comprehensive compensation package and offer benefits that go beyond medical coverage and paid time off to include individual development programs such as tuition reimbursement.

Our entire team—from patient-facing practitioners to our business and support staff—strives to ensure individuals and families impacted by disabilities receive high-quality services.

Throughout Hawaii, from the beautiful beaches of Kauai to the world-class city of Honolulu, Easterseals Hawaii has the perfect location for you.

Are you looking for more than just a job? Join a team that works together to ensure individuals and families impacted by disabilities achieve their personal goals and gain greater independence.

About Easterseals Hawaii

Easterseals Hawaii is the statewide leader serving people with disabilities or special needs.

We are dedicated to building communities of Aloha where everyone has equal opportunities.

Our greatest strength comes from people in our communities and the relationships between therapists and participants, teachers and preschoolers, staff and parents and volunteers and staff.

Together, we help children and adults with disabilities gain greater independence and choose their own paths.