Employment Support Professional

CLASS Community; Pittsburgh, Northern (Allegheny County, KY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

CLASS Community is seeking an Employment Support Professional to help individuals with disabilities gain and maintain competitive integrated employment. The role emphasizes outreach, intake, assessment, and developing community-based job opportunities with on-the-job training.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, relevant experience, and professional credentials (APSE/ACRE) or progression toward them, plus knowledge of CWDS and 6400 regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and at least one year of experience with individuals with disabilities.
• Associate degree in related field and at least three years of experience with individuals with disabilities.
• Credentialed as a Certified Employment Support Professional through APSE or National Certificate of Achievement in Employment Services through ACRE (or acquired within first nine months).
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and requirements.
• Current Criminal History Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate outreach, intake, and assessment to grow program census.
• Form and maintain relationships with funders to secure referrals.
• Process referrals by contacting within 48 hours, and conduct intake meeting.
• Conduct intake assessment to determine strengths, interests, and background.
• Conduct community-based assessments and write outcomes reports.
• Develop community integrated job opportunities and provide on-the-job training.
• Assist with resume development and interview preparation; contact employers.
• Complete job analysis to align skills with opportunities.
• Assist with interviews and provide on-the-job training as needed.
• Provide ongoing services after placement to ensure job stability.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Certified Employment Support Professional (APSE) or National Certificate of Achievement in Employment Services (ACRE)

Job description

TITLE: Employment Support Professional – Full-time position

BASIC FUNCTION: To support individuals with disabilities with their efforts to secure and maintain competitive integrated employment.

FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Non-Exempt

REPORT: Supervision received: Employment Support Coordinator
Supervision exercised: None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitate the growth and maintain census of the program by conducting outreach, intake, and assessment activities.
• Form and maintain strong relationships with funders to secure referrals.
• Process all referrals by making initial contact within 48 hours to confirm interest in the services. Establish and facilitate an intake meeting.
• Conduct initial intake assessment to determine strengths, areas of improvement, interests, and background.
• Conduct community-based assessments as requested by the funder by securing an assessment site in the community, train and observe the individual, document the observations, and write a report detailing the outcomes.
• Develop community integrated job opportunities and provide on-the-job training services to ensure successful employment for individuals with disabilities.
• Assist the consumer with job readiness skills such as resume development or interview preparation.
• Assist with contacting employers that meet the interests and skills of the consumer.
• Complete a job analysis as needed to help determine if a job matches the skills and interests of the consumer.
• Assist with establishing and participating in interviews depending on the abilities of the consumer.
• Provide on-the-job training if needed to teach not only job specific skills but soft skills as well.
• Provide on-going services after placement to ensure job stabilization and longevity.
• Work with the employer to establish reasonable accommodations.
• Help to establish natural supports.
• Develop and perform a follow-up plan.
• Maintain regular contact with the consumer and employer (with consumer’s approval) to ensure success.
• Complete required documentation and data collection to ensure compliance and quality.
• Complete all documentation in a timely manner within Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) to meet all requirements of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Complete all documentation as required in the 6400 regulations.
• Track outcome data in data base systems used by CLASS.
• Become a valued member of the consumer’s support team to ensure the best possible outcome.
• Participate in consumer support team meetings as necessitated through the funding source.
• Communicate progress of the consumer with the support team on a regular basis as outlined in funding requirements or as agreed upon by the consumer and team.
• Perform duties in a manner that promotes and supports the mission, vision, and values of CLASS to ensure effective and efficient services are provided
• Support individual choice, the achievement of desired community integration, and the person-centered philosophy
• Communicate in a professional, discreet, and tactful manner
• Complete tasks in a self-directed, organized, and efficient manner
• Maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
• Render and accept criticism in a professional manner
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and at least one year of experience with individuals with disabilities in a personal or professional manner. OR,
• Associate degree in related field and at least three years of experience with individuals with disabilities in a personal or professional manner.
• Credentialed as a Certified Employment Support Professional through APSE or have received a National Certificate of Achievement in Employment Services through the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educator’s (ACRE). Or credential must be acquired during the first nine months of employment.
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and requirements
• Current Criminal History Clearance.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Positive and effective communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good organizational and writing skills
• Attention to detail and thorough follow up
• Critical thinking and independent judgement and decision-making skills

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Have access to reliable transportation.
• Attend trainings related to job functions, as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to see and interact with text and graphical information on a screen.
• Ability to receive and respond to phone calls.
• Ability to use office equipment.
• Regularly travel locally.
• Regularly work non-traditional hours including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
• Regularly work in a climate-controlled home or office environment or another approved location in the community.

CLASS does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, age in admission, treatment, or by participation in programs, services and activities, or in employment.