Employment Specialist

EmployU, Inc; Sarasota (FL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Health Savings Account

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Bonus Potential

Flexible work schedule

Pet Insurance

Job summary

A community service organization in Sarasota, Florida, is seeking an Employment Specialist responsible for assisting customers within the disability community to find and retain employment. Key responsibilities include creating personalized job plans, supporting application processes, and maintaining regular contact with clients. Required qualifications include a high school diploma and preferred experience working with individuals with disabilities. This full-time role offers a flexible schedule in a supportive environment, aiming to make a difference in the community.

Qualifications

• High School diploma required; some college including a degree in any field preferred.
• No experience necessary; prior experience with individuals with disabilities preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, Adobe, and web-based database systems.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a plan for each assigned customer.
• Search for job opportunities matching customer interests and abilities.
• Prepare customers for interviews and assist with applications.
• Maintain regular contact with customers and file documentation.

Skills

Job Knowledge

Leadership

Critical and Strategic Thinking

Problem Solving/Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Sales Skills

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Education

High School diploma

Some college including a degree

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Adobe

Web-based database systems

CRM systems

Job description

Join Our Team!

A flexible schedule, paid weekly, working in the community, making a difference, being surrounded by a great team, and maintaining work/life balance: This is what you can expect working at employU!

Our team works within the disability community to empower our customers with the knowledge, connections, and the confidence required to achieve independence by establishing a sustainable career. Because we are always expanding, there is always an opportunity for growth for those looking for career advancement.

Benefits

Full‑time employees are offered:

• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Bonus Potential (eligible positions)
• Flexible work schedule for exceptional work/life balance
• Pet Insurance

Part‑time employees may be offered:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible work schedule for exceptional work/life balance
• Pet Insurance

Requirements

The estimated average, annual pay rate for this full‑time, hourly position is $60,000-$70,000/year which includes an hourly pay rate $16.25 an hour, plus an estimated bonus.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Employment Specialist (ES) is responsible for creating and implementing a plan for each assigned customer in efforts to find employment that fits their job goal, interests and is a reasonable distance from their home. The customer’s plan includes actions to aid in the retention of the position for a designated period of time. The Employment Specialist shall follow company instruction and provide a level of service to its customers that meets and exceeds the standards of excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Organizes area Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) campaigns and works to develop new business relationships; assists the team to ensure appropriate and sufficient area MOU development.
• Supervises, trains and assists Job Coaches (JC) with job activities; monitors JC work hours to ensure proper tracking.
• Searches for OJT opportunities that match the customer’s interests, abilities and are a reasonable distance to their home; researches online job boards, company websites and social media; networks with hiring managers and human resources to promote service in efforts to find OJT opportunities.
• Assists customers with applications and assessments as needed.
• Helps the customer prepare for interviews by providing instruction on how to write a resume, how to complete and follow‑up on job applications; assists and coaches customers with interviewing skills.
• Maintains contact with customers via phone, text, email or in person on a regular basis prior to placement; documents all customer information in database program; communicates with each customer a minimum of once per week and meets with customers in person no less than once per month.
• Assists customers in following up on applications with specific employers; documents customer’s progress in database program; transports customer as needed to assist in the application follow‑up and interview process.
• Ensures the customer begins and retains employment by offering support, ensuring appropriate training, coaching and communicating through the life of the case; communicates with employers and helps to solve issues that may arise to ensure job retention.
• Maintains regular communication with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors regarding the progress of each customer.
• Drives clients to various locations as needed.
• Completes other assigned tasks as directed.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Job Knowledge
• Leadership
• Critical and Strategic Thinking
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Interpersonal SkillsCommunication
• Sales Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:

• High School diploma required: some college including a degree in any field preferred.

Experience:

• No experience necessary; experience working with individuals with a disability and/or prior counseling, job placement, job coaching or working within public vocational rehabilitation programs is preferred.

Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Suite, Adobe and web‑based database systems; CRM experience preferred.

Background Screening Requirement

This position requires level 2 background screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Applicants can learn more about the screening process by visiting https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Other Requirements

• Open availability required: must be available during days, evenings and weekends.
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, auto registration, auto insurance with minimum coverage of bodily injury $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident.
• Bilingual is a plus (English / Spanish); ASL is a plus.
• Confidentiality and the ability to manage multiple deadlines is required.
• Must have own computer, printer, smartphone with data plan, and high‑speed internet connection.

SUPERVISION

Supervises Job Coach positions.

TRAVEL

Local travel required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Environment: Office environment and in the field at various business locations.

Physical: Standing, walking, reaching and prolonged periods sitting while driving and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds as needed.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents.

Hearing: Hear within the normal audio range with or without correction.