Supported Employment Specialist

Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS); St. Johnsbury (VT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) is seeking an Employment Specialist to help adults secure and sustain meaningful work within the community. You will assess skills and preferences, identify opportunities, and coordinate supports to align with each individual's goals.

You will educate clients about benefits, partner with local employers, provide ongoing follow-along support, and participate in treatment teams.

Qualifications

• Complete comprehensive employment assessments of the individuals skills and preferences.
• Provide work and/or education incentives planning.
• Create job and/or education support plans for each new experience and deliver ongoing follow-along support.
• Build strong relationships with employers within the community to expand employment opportunities.
• Perform individualized job search based on client preferences.
• Promote job and employer diversity; ensure competitive employment standards.
• Provide community-based services in natural settings.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and collaborate with Hire Ability.
• Offer follow-along support before transitioning the individual to less intensive care.

Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive employment assessments of the individuals skills and preferences.
• Provide work and/or education incentives planning.
• Create job and/or education support plans for each new experience and deliver ongoing follow-along support.
• Build strong relationships with employers within the community to expand employment opportunities.
• Perform individualized job search based on client preferences.
• Promote job and employer diversity; ensure competitive employment standards.
• Provide community-based services in natural settings.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and collaborate with Hire Ability.
• Offer follow-along support before transitioning the individual to less intensive care.

Job description

The Employment Specialist works primarily within the community to support adults in obtaining and sustaining meaningful employment. This involves identifying competitive job opportunities that align with each Individuals Preferences, Skills, And Abilities, While Providing Guidance and resources to ensure long-term success in the workplace.

In addition to job placement, Employment Specialists educate individuals on how employment may affect benefits such as Social Security and Medicaid, ensuring they understand that most people can work and still retain some benefits. This guidance helps individuals make informed decisions about employment while maintaining financial stability.

Essential Tasks/Functions/Responsibilities

• - Complete comprehensive employment assessments of the individuals skills and preferences.
• Provide work and/or education incentives planning.
• Create job and/or education support plans for each new experience and deliver ongoing follow-along support.
• Build strong relationships with employers within the community to expand employment opportunities.
• Perform individualized job search based on client preferences.
• Promote job and employer diversity; ensure competitive employment standards.
• Provide community-based services in natural settings.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and collaborate with Hire Ability.
• Offer follow-along support before transitioning the individual to less intensive care.