Employment Specialist with ASL

Brooklyn Bureau of Community Services, Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Employment Specialist fluent in ASL to support deaf individuals in securing and maintaining competitive employment. This role involves job development, placement services, and on-the-job coaching, ensuring that clients receive the necessary support to thrive in the workplace. The ideal candidate will have a strong educational background and experience in working with individuals with disabilities. Join a passionate team committed to fostering self-sufficiency and inclusivity in the community, making a real difference in the lives of many. If you're ready to empower others and advocate for their success, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• BA or BS required with 2+ years in competitive employment settings.
• Fluency in ASL is essential for communication with clients.

Responsibilities

• Meet with employers to educate them about deaf workers.
• Provide interpretation during interviews and assist with job coaching.
• Develop employment opportunities for deaf individuals.

Skills

Fluency in ASL (American Sign Language)

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Judgment and sensitivity to client needs

Knowledge of employer expectations

Knowledge of the local job market

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA or BS)

Job description

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Department: Supported Employment Services for PWD (Access VR) - 90500

Location: 151 Lawrence St., 4 th Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Position Summary:

Brooklyn Community Services is one of Brooklyn’s first and largest non-sectarian social services agencies. BCS, which presently serves more than 10,000 individuals annually, is committed to a broad and diverse range of services including education and child care; services to strengthen families; and services to foster self-sufficiency for adults.

Reporting to the Director of Supported Employment, the Employment Specialist with ASL provides the supports that deaf individuals need to obtain and maintain paid competitive employment within the community. The Deafness Specialist provides individualized job development, job placement, English to ASL and ASL to English interpretation and on the job coaching once an individual is employed.

Responsibilities:

• Meet with employers in the community and educate them about deaf workers, and individuals with other disabilities.
• Provide interpretation for deaf individuals and employers during interviews (English to ASL/ASL to English).
• Develop employment opportunities in the community especially for deaf individuals.
• Assist individuals with disabilities (hearing and non-hearing) with finding and retaining employment through active, individualized job search and preparation, and post-employment job coaching at the work site.
• Develop positive working relationships with employers. Directly assist employers in communicating with individuals, to clarify job duties, to provide safety information, and to facilitate productivity, client motivation, and client attendance.
• Provide job coaching and proactive, extended support services to assigned caseload of employed clients, both at and away from the job site, to assist them to remain employed in the integrated labor market. Can include occasional evening and/or weekend work depending on client’s employment schedule, and travel within NYC as required.
• Provide individuals with travel training, counseling, case management, and other supportive services needed to maintain employment.
• Advocate for clients’ possible need for accommodation on-site as well as off-site advocacy needs.
• Assist individuals who have lost their jobs to return to employment by re-evaluating their employment goals, needs, and interests, and by assisting them with interviews. Enlist assistance of parents and natural supports.
• Complete required chart documentation and monthly reports in a timely manner.

Qualifications Required:

• Fluency in ASL (American Sign Language) required.
• Must have a BA or BS plus a minimum of two years of experience in competitive employment settings with Persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of employer expectations of performance and employee behaviors.
• Knowledge of the local job market.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment and sensitivity to the needs of clients.
• Must undergo pre-employment screenings such as the Criminal Background Check required by OPWDD.

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.