Employment Specialist

Rise Services, Inc.; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Medical/Dental/Vision

Tuition reimbursement

13 holidays

Generous vacation

Retirement planning

Disability & life insurance

Pet insurance

Career opportunities

Job summary

Rise Services, Inc. is hiring an Employment Specialist to coach and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities toward integrated employment. You will build relationships with job seekers, families, and community partners to create pathways to success and inclusive workplaces.

The role emphasizes person-centered planning, resume and interview support, job development, and coordinating with the team to meet client goals while upholding safety and confidentiality policies.

Qualifications

• Education in Social Services or related field preferred.
• 6 months of experience providing employment services required.
• 1 year of experience in developmental disabilities or related field required.
• Reliable transportation for daily travel.
• Must meet training requirements including Oregon Intervention Systems, CPR, and First Aid.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with resume development and interview preparation.
• Support job search and job development and marketing of clients' skills.
• Coordinate with management on scheduling and support for individuals.
• Train Job Coaches on support documents and strategies including safety and behavior supports.
• Maintain professional boundaries and develop partnerships with customers and agencies.
• Ensure individualized goals and service outcomes align with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Career coaching

Advocacy

Relationship building

Education

Education in Social Services or related field

Job description

Every person deserves the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and belong. At RISE Services, our mission is Creating opportunities for and with people, and we're seeking a passionate Employment Specialist to help bring that mission to life.

What does this role entail?

In this role, you will serve as a coach, advocate, and connector, partnering with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover their strengths, pursue their career goals, and achieve meaningful, community-integrated employment. Through strong relationships with job seekers, employers, families, and community partners, you will create pathways to success, foster inclusive workplaces, and empower individuals to achieve greater independence and fulfillment. If you believe in the transformative power of employment and enjoy helping others reach their personal and professional goals, we'd love to have you on our team.

Who are we?

RISE is a non-profit organization that specializes in group homes, in-home care and community-based support services for children and adults with developmental and other disabilities, children with mental health challenges, and aging adults. For over 30 years, our purpose has remained constant. We create opportunities for and with the people we serve, their families, and for the men and women who work in the direct care profession.

Essential Job Functions:

• Understand the responsibilities of supporting people in achieving and maintaining integrated and competitive employment. This includes keeping required documentation and any other prescribed or related tasks.
• Assist clients (as applicable to the individual) with the following supports:
  • Resume assistance.
  • Interview preparation and assistance.
  • Job development and job searching techniques.
  • Marketing individuals' employment skills.
  • Assist with and encourage personal hygiene.
  • Encourage relationships.
  • Provide/arrange transportation.
  • Other needs of the person as identified by their team.
  • Act as an appropriate role model and support people in developing skills necessary for gaining and maintaining employment.
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments of a person's skills, talents, interests and motivation, and identify any areas for improvement.
  • Educate potential employers
• Coordinate with management on schedule and support for individuals based on client’s work schedule.
• Assist management with the training of Job Coaches on support documents and appropriately carrying out strategies outlined including emotional and cognitive support, activities of daily living, role-modeling, positive behavior supports, personal protective interventions, promoting choice, and maintaining safety.
• Develop and maintain supportive relationships and professional boundaries with team members, Job Coaches, and guardians.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with RISE customers, e.g. funding agencies, county case managers, guardians, etc.
• Closely communicate with Behavior Support Specialist, other coordinators, subordinates, and supervisor.
• Ensure the development, facilitation and implementation of individualized goals and service outcomes in accordance with client-specific support documents, service authorizations and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of each individual’s plans of support on a regular basis and communicate with management as needed.
• Attend and participate in other agency meetings as relevant to each person, e.g. intake meetings, team meetings, etc. and advocate on behalf of the person in RISE Services.
• Provide feedback and retraining to direct support staff as appropriate.
• Maintain necessary records, logs, and other documentation per RISE policy and State requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate appropriate discretion.
• Ensure individuals are receiving support in alignment with the RISE Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Demonstrate respect and promote choice.
• Promote the rights of people receiving support and contribute to an environment that is free of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.
• Quickly and effectively respond to emergency situations and natural disasters per RISE guidelines such as fire, application of First Aid, CPR, approved medical protocols, behavior intervention, etc.
• Provide direct job coaching hours if no other coverage options are available.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education in Social Services field or related field preferred.
• 6 month of experience providing employment service required
• 1 year of experience in the field of developmental disabilities or related field required
• Reliable transportation for daily travel.
• May be required to transport client using personal vehicle to community outings, local business establishments, etc.
• Required to meet minimum training requirements including Oregon Intervention Systems, CPR, and First Aid classes while employed and complete renewals
• At least 18 years of age.
• Ability to pass a background check pre-hire and ongoing during employment
• If required to transport clients, must maintain a valid Driver’s License, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance that meet minimum requirements if personal vehicle is used for transport. Must be at 21 years of age, if required to drive a RISE vehicle.

Physical Requirements:

• For a majority of clients:
  • Occasionally to frequently sits, stands, walks.
  • Occasionally to frequently lifts and/or carries up to 34 lbs.
  • Occasionally to frequently pushes and pulls up to 34 lbs. Occasionally pushes and pulls 35-100 lbs.
  • Occasionally to frequently uses hands to repetitively grasp and manipulate.
  • Occasionally to frequently uses feet in repetitive movements.
  • Frequently bends, stoops, climbs, balances, twists, and reaches. Occasionally squats or kneels.
• For some high needs clients:
  • Continuously required to walk
  • Occasionally to frequently lifts up to 50 lbs. Frequently lifts 75-100 lbs
  • Occasionally to frequently carries 50-100 lbs.
• Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations, including being confronted verbally and/or physically in a threatening or aggressive manner by people receiving support. May include the ability to deal with and redirect aggressive behavior that may require approved personal protective interventions.
• Ability to quickly respond to health, safety, and emergency situations.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions that may include dealing with difficult behaviors and situations while handling multiple work assignments.
• Ability to have appropriate interactions and advocate with community and community partners and maintain professionalism.

Benefits:

• Paid training (in person and online)
• Medical, dental and vision package
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• 13 paid holidays
• Generous vacation time
• Retirement planning
• Disability & Life insurance
• Pet insurance and discounts
• Ongoing career opportunities and more!

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or hiring process, please submit your request through one of the following methods listed below:

• Dedicated fax [phone]
• Dedicated email [e-mail]
• US mail
• Dedicated phone [phone]: DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY

RISE is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We embrace diversity in all its form. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.