Vocational Specialist

Saint Xavier University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Xavier University seeks a Vocational Specialist to manage the C.O.A.C.H. clinic operations and provide administrative support to the faculty and graduate students in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Program.

You will support clients with disabilities, build employment skills, and coordinate placements for SXU SLP students in a busy academic clinic. The role is grant funded and requires collaboration with students, faculty, and employers to foster independence and successful outcomes

Qualifications

• College degree in social work required.
• Three or more years of related experience working with adults with disabilities in a school or clinic setting.
• Knowledge of Illinois programs of adults with disabilities.
• Exceptional communication skills (oral and written), organizational, interpersonal and time management skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, work independently, and prioritize.
• Ability to work with a diverse population in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner.

Responsibilities

• Create connections and secure sites for placement of adult clients with disabilities to provide a clinical site for SXU SLP students to gain clinical experience while adult clients develop communication skills required for employment.
• Share success stories and act as an advisor for other interested employers.
• Create an intake process for the functional assessment of clients who apply to the program for admission.
• Develop and maintain vocational training curriculum.
• Coach, encourage and support individuals on and off the job sites to help them build professionalism, interpersonal skills and gain independence.
• Provide one-on-one, hands-on instruction at the job site to help the individual learn specific tasks and meet employer expectations.
• Help clients navigate social dynamics, advocate for necessary accommodations, and communicate effectively with supervisors.
• Investigate the feasibility of support for parent guidance on finding employment for adult children.
• Encourage problem solving to work through issues that arise.
• Provide positive feedback and areas for improvement related to the individual's performance and employer expectations.
• Create and update records and reports on progress.
• Coordinate and monitor transportation as this can be a barrier to site placement.
• Coordinate team building events and activities as appropriate.
• Complete all other duties or assigned as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Education

College degree in social work

Job description

Summary

The Vocational Specialist manages the Community of Adult Cougars Helping (C.O.A.C.H.) specialty clinic operations and provides administrative support to the faculty and graduate students within the Communication Sciences & Disorders Program. This individual supports Ludden Speech & Language Clients with disabilities and communication barriers with the goal of building skills, workplace relationship, and independence leading to employment. Manages multiple responsibilities while interacting with clients, students and faculty in a busy academic and clinic environment.

This is a grant funded position.

Monday 8:30 - 12:30, fall semester 2026

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Create connections and secure sites for the placement of adult clients with disabilities to provide a clinical site for SXU SLP students to gain clinical experience while adult clients develop communication skills required for employment.
• Share success stories and act as an advisor for other interested employers.
• Create an intake process for the functional assessment of clients who apply to the program for admission.
• Develop and maintain vocational training curriculum.
• Coach, encourage and support individuals on and off the job sites to help them build professionalism, interpersonal skills and gain independence.
• Provide one-on-one, hands-on instruction at the job site to help the individual learn specific tasks and meet employer expectations.
• Help clients navigate social dynamics, advocate for necessary accommodations, and communicate effectively with supervisors.
• Investigate the feasibility of support for parent guidance on finding employment for adult children.
• Encourage problem solving to work through issues that arise.
• Provide positive feedback and areas for improvement related to the individual's performance and employer expectations.
• Create and update records and reports on progress.
• Coordinate and monitor transportation as this can be a barrier to site placement.
• Coordinate team building events and activities as appropriate.
• Complete all other duties or assigned as needed.

Qualifications

College degree in social work required. Three or more years of related experience working with adults with disabilities in a school or clinic setting. Knowledge of Illinois programs of adults with disabilities. Exceptional communication skills (oral and written), organizational, interpersonal and time management skills. Attention to detail and ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, work independently, and prioritize. Ability to work with a diverse population in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner.

Additional Expectations

We inspire success by working together to provide meaningful, personalized service in a spirit of excellence. SXU seeks candidates that deliver value-added services in a responsive, collaborative, effective, and respectful manner.

The University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Saint Xavier University affirms its position as a Catholic institution, inspired by the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, and asserts its rights to employ persons who subscribe to the mission, vision and core values of the University.

Saint Xavier University is an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions and all other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other factors protected by law. Hiring decisions will be based on the bona fide occupational qualifications of each applicant.