Employment Specialist at Mobile Cafe – Blue Bell, PA

Variety International; Worcester Township (PA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Variety International is seeking an enthusiastic Employment Specialist in Blue Bell, PA to support individuals with disabilities in achieving their vocational goals. You will work within the VarietyWorks program, assisting participants to develop skills in a food service environment on a college campus.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with intellectually disabled individuals and a passion for fostering independence and employability in others. A valid driver's license is required due to travel duties.

Qualifications

• Experience with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Food Service experience preferred but not required.
• Valid Driver's License required for travel.

Responsibilities

• Support participants with job functions and activities.
• Record progress notes for individual outcomes.
• Assist in supervision and maintain health safety.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Cultural sensitivity

Basic legal understanding

Education

BS or BA in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Office equipment

Job description

Employment Specialist at Mobile Cafe – Blue Bell, PA

We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and motivated Employment Specialist to help individuals with disabilities achieve goals. If this sounds like you, Variety-the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley (Variety) is seeking an Employment Specialists to join its team at a moment of exciting growth and meaningful impact. Variety is a recognized content expert and resource for families with special needs throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and a storied organization providing direct services to children and adults with disabilities. Employment Specialists are expected to help educate and provide support to the participants involved within the VarietyWorks programs in respect to their given job roles and expectations. This specific role will be expected to support three participants each day in a Small Group Employment setting of a food service environment on a college campus in Blue Bell, Pa. The goal of this program is to help its participants further develop their vocational skills in the hopes of becoming more confident, independent and employable.

Essential Functions

Ensure the health and safety of participants during services

• Support and assist participants with daily job functions and activities.
• Record daily progress notes that track progress towards each individual’s outcomes as per their Individual Support Plan.
• Write quarterly reports about progress made, interventions utilized, and detailed updates regarding each individual’s progress within the program.
• Communicate with participants, families, and all related team members regarding daily program happenings, events, and progress.
• Assist in the direct supervision of children in the assigned program as directed by the teacher or supervisors (e.g. bussing, classroom assignments, lunch, pool, etc.)
• Model and maintain appropriate behavioral expectations across all environments, including but not limited to: conversation and social engagement, clean-up and self-care activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Assist in ensuring the safety and well-being of all students within the program
• Maintain clean program areas and equipment.
• Respond to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the program’s function
• Participate in Intake and ISP meetings as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Non-Essential Functions

• Attend relevant workshops or join professional groups as necessary to maintain professional knowledge and licensure.
• Attends relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
• Participate in assigned events that may occur after regular business hours and weekends.
• Completes special projects specific to the function of the department or as needed for the department as directed by supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

All Staff Competencies

• Basic understanding of Variety’s mission, values, programs and services, and strategic plan.
• Knowledge and understanding of the target community needs and demographics.
• Understanding of legal criteria for issues such as confidentiality, child abuse, and mandated reporter requirements.
• Ability to provide nonviolent intervention with a high level of ethical standards of conduct, cultural sensitivity and within appropriate boundaries and limits.
• Ability to effectively use standard office equipment.
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
• Ability to operate a computer and use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office, and customized databases.
• Adheres to all Variety and departmental policies and procedures.
• Attends all Variety in-services as required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicate with individuals and groups.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

Minimum Experience: Experience with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Food Service Experience preferred but not required.

Minimum Education: BS or BA in related field.

Other Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License – Job will be located in Blue Bell, PA, but travel to and from other locations on a regular basis is required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs and ladders; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.

2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.

4. Operate outdoor equipment and necessary tools.

5. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.
• Certain work-related appointments and events might be scheduled outside of traditional work hours as necessary.