Employment Specialist

The Arc Of The Ozarks; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

403(b) plan with employer match

Job summary

The Arc of the Ozarks is seeking an Employment Specialist in Springfield, MO to help individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. You’ll support through community-based assessments, connect clients with resources, plan transportation, and coach on job retention.

The role emphasizes one-on-one and group support with up to 6 individuals at a time. We offer competitive pay and benefits, including health coverage and a 403(b) plan with employer matching.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Human Services or Employment field preferred.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.
• Ability to lift items up to 50 lbs intermittently.
• Ability to stand for long periods, bend, stoop and reach overhead.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on support to clients to empower successful employment.
• Build relationships with local businesses and assist recruitment to meet hiring needs.
• Assist in securing appropriate job matches for individuals served.
• Use techniques to promote social inclusion in the workplace.
• Identify and facilitate supports typical in the workplace.
• Use teaching strategies to train and coach clients.

Skills

Communication skills

Public relations

Problem solving

Driving

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Springfield, MO 65803Salary Range: $22.50 Hourly
Positions starting at $22.50 per hour!

Are you interested in joining a rewarding non-profit career field with opportunities to make a difference in your community? The Arc invites you to join our team of value-driven and independent professionals. Help us fulfill our mission to support individuals with disabilities in enhancing the quality of their lives!

Bring Your Experience to The Arc! Experience-based wages are available for those whose background is above and beyond the position's requirements.

What is this job all about?

The Employment Specialist’s primary job is to assist individuals with disabilities with maintaining employment. This role includes supporting the individual through work samples (called community-based assessments) in area businesses, assisting to connect the individual with community resources, assisting with transportation planning/ bus training, assisting with building and maintaining prevocational (soft) skills, and ongoing coaching and retention support once they have accepted a job offer of their choosing. The Employment Specialist will also be responsible for facilitating supports the individual needs at the worksite. This support can be provided one-on-one or in a group setting with up to 6 individuals. This does not replace the training offered by the business, but some individuals need additional support with developing work relationships, setting a routine, meeting timelines, and ensuring quality.

If we didn’t get your attention yet - The Arc of the Ozarks also offers competitive pay and benefits.

What will my day-to-day responsibilities look like?

An Employment Specialist is both a mentor and a coach. In this position you will be working hands-on with our clients to provide guidance and suggestions to empower them to be successfully employed. You will do this by:

• Measuring consumer satisfaction and using results to continuously improve employment services.
• Building relationships with the business community and offering recruitment assistance to meet their hiring needs.
• Assisting in securing appropriate job matches.
• Utilizing a variety of techniques to assist people to be socially included at work.
• Identifying and facilitating the use of supports that are typical in the workplace.
• Using teaching strategies to train and facilitate training with clients.

What do I need to be successful in this position?

• High School diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Human Services or Employment field preferred
• Valid chauffeur’s license with a good driving record.
• Or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Dependable automobile and current Liability or higher auto insurance.
• Ability to independently lift items weighing up to 50lbs on at least an intermittent basis.
• Ability to stand for long periods, bend, stoop and reach overhead.

Please see the full job description for complete list of duties and requirements.

Here’s a little bit more you might want to know:

Along with competitive pay and benefits, this position will also witness firsthand the growth and success of individuals we support.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary and excellent working environment
• Health, Vision, Dental, and Life Insurance
• 403(b) plan, including up to 4% employer match at 1 year of service
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Annual Wage Increase Potential
• Many more…

Looking for more information?

Checkout some videos about our organization and the individuals we support here

• https://www.youtube.com/@thearcoftheozarks-springfield/videos

Checkout our website and social media here:

• https://thearcoftheozarks.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/thearcoftheozarks
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-the-ozarks/
• https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Arc-of-the-Ozarks-Reviews-E421090.htm

Qualifications

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Definition/ Nature of Work

The Employment Specialist for Employment Solutions, a division of The Arc of the Ozarks, is a key player in providing services for our primary customer (an individual who has a disability) and our secondary customers (funding sources, families, employers, other service providers.) The Employment Specialist’s primary job is to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment. This role includes supporting the individual through work samples (called community-based assessments) in local businesses, assisting to connect the individual with community resources, assisting with transportation planning/ bus training, assisting the individual with the application and interview process, and supporting the person once they have accepted a job offer of their choosing. Once a job is secured, the Employment Specialist will be responsible for facilitating supports the individual needs at the worksite. This does not replace the training offered by the business, but some individuals need additional support with developing work relationships, setting a routine, meeting timelines, and ensuring quality. The Employment Specialist either provides this one-on-one support, or supervises a Job Coach who provides the support. Supports may be provided on or off-site, depending on the needs of the individual receiving services. As the individual becomes confident and effective in their position, the Employment Specialist is responsible for planning a gradual fading process for one-on-one support, as well as develops a plan for long-term support. This plan includes input from the individual, their employer, and all persons on their support team.

Communication through the entire process is extremely important. The Employment Specialist is responsible for communication with the individual receiving services, funding sources, employer, and other members of the individual’s support team. The Employment Specialist is also responsible for ensuring quality and satisfaction of all customers. The Employment Specialist will ask for feedback and suggestions from all parties involved through formal and informal methods.

The Employment Specialist will work closely with the Employment Program Supervisors, providing support and assistance as needed.

Employment Specialists will be responsible for cross-training in all Department of Mental Health individual and group Supported Employment and Prevocational sites, as they will be the first line of coverage if needed.

This position is a full-time, hourly role.

Essential Job Functions

The below are intended as examples of various types of work performed, they are not all inclusive. The omission of a specific job duty from the below does not exclude them as a required job function as specified by the appropriate supervisor:

• Articulate the values driving employment services.
• Use respectful language in all phases of support.
• Facilitate meaningful and informed choices.
• Use Person-Centered principles as the guiding influence in daily interactions.
• Use discretion and independent judgement to utilize personal and professional networks as appropriate to facilitate successful employment for individuals served.
• Measure consumer satisfaction and use results to continuously improve employment services.
• Build relationships with the local business community and offer recruitment assistance to meet their hiring needs.
• Use discretion and independent judgment in security appropriate job matches for individuals served.
• Utilize a variety of techniques to assist people to be socially included at work.
• Identify and facilitate the use of supports that are typical in the workplace.
• Use teaching strategies to train and facilitate training.
• Pro-actively problem-solve.
• Assist the person in accessing additional resources.
• Communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
• Conduct and attend planning meetings and assist the individual in advocating their needs and desires.
• Maintain knowledge of occupations and expectations of the occupations in the area.
• Independently meet timelines, organize work load, and manage time effectively.
• Assist in department goal setting and planning.
• Record and maintain all daily and monthly paperwork requirements.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, exercising good judgement, time management and managing stress.
• Provide input to team members concerning the support needs and progress of the customer.
• Work a flexible schedule to meet the support needs of the customer.
• Assist to maintain financial stability of the Employment Solutions Program through monitoring financial statements and making changes as needed.
• Abide by the Personnel Policies and Procedures of The Arc of the Ozarks as a condition of employment.
• Assist Employment Solutions and The Arc of the Ozarks in Public Relations Activities to promote disability awareness, community inclusion, and programming support.
• Provides supervision and oversight to individuals in Job Coach position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High School diploma or GED.

Minimum of 2 years experience in Human Services or Employment field preferred.

Good decision-making, communication abilities, and problem-solving skills.

Good public relations skills

Knowledge of the community and strong personal network.

Ability, willingness, and commitment to furthering knowledge and education.

Ability to independently lift items weighing up to 50 lbs on at least an intermittent basis.

Ability to assist in lifting and transferring up to 150 lbs with two-person lifts.

Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Valid chauffeur’s (Class E) license with a good driving record

Dependable vehicle and current liability auto insurance.

Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignment, methods, schedule, and policies, etc.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals served, employers, other community members, funding sources, families, and other providers.