Vocational Support Specialist

St. Louis Arc; Ballwin (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Job summary

St. Louis Arc in Ballwin, Missouri, is seeking a dedicated support professional to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to explore interests, build skills, and pursue meaningful community employment.

You will assess abilities, develop Career Plans, and grow partnerships with local nonprofits for volunteer opportunities, job shadowing, mock interviews, and research. This role emphasizes documentation, teamwork, and professional communication.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent related experience required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Valid Driver’s license (in good standing).
• Current auto insurance.
• One year of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, or work in an educational field required.

Responsibilities

• Support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they explore interests, build skills, and pursue meaningful career opportunities in the community.
• Conduct interest and skills assessments and use gathered data to inform the development of a Positive Personal Profile and Career Plan.
• Expand, maintain, and assist with developing partnerships with area non‑profit businesses at which to complete volunteer work, unpaid work experiences, and assessments.
• Assist people supported to plan and complete diverse volunteer and educational opportunities that align with their identified employment goals and needs.
• Objectively evaluate a person’s knowledge, skills, and abilities for competitive integrated employment.
• Teach skills needed to obtain and/or maintain competitive integrated employment.
• Provide instructional training at volunteer/work sites, including developing and deploying adaptations to increase independence as needed.
• Support individuals with personal care and hygiene support as needed
• Complete all documentation required according to Agency and funder timelines, including community events reports, medication administration records, progress notes, etc.
• Actively participate in Individual Support Plan meetings, training, and team meetings
• Communicate professionally and manage relationships with person supported and their support team (family members, community business partners, other direct care staff, support coordinators, etc.)

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Driver's license

Education

Associate’s Degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Job description

Job Details

Be Part of our Circle.

We empower people to live their best life. That is our mission—not only to those we serve but to those we employ. This mutually shared sense of purpose drives our decisions and actions. Come as you are and achieve better lives as part of the St. Louis Arc family of individuals in this vital role.

Complete career support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This position prefers full-time with 40 hours per week, but will consider part‑time hours, as well. Monday-Friday hourly role with an hourly rate of $24.04/hour.

What You Will Do

Support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they explore interests, build skills, and pursue meaningful career opportunities in the community.

• Conduct interest and skills assessments and use gathered data to inform the development of a Positive Personal Profile and Career Plan.
• Expand, maintain, and assist with developing partnerships with area non‑profit businesses at which to complete volunteer work, unpaid work experiences, and assessments. Work with these businesses to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.
• Assist people supported to plan and complete diverse volunteer and educational opportunities that align with their identified employment goals and needs. This includes but is not limited to:
• Community-based volunteering
• Job Shadowing
• Mock Interviewing
• Job/Career Research
• Peer Group Meetings/Classes
• Objectively evaluate a person’s knowledge, skills, and abilities for competitive integrated employment.
• Teach skills needed to obtain and/or maintain competitive integrated employment.
• Provide instructional training at volunteer/work sites, including developing and deploying adaptations to increase independence as needed.
• Support individuals with personal care and hygiene support as needed
• Complete all documentation required according to Agency and funder timelines, including community events reports, medication administration records, progress notes, etc.
• Actively participate in Individual Support Plan meetings, training, and team meetings
• Communicate professionally and manage relationships with person supported and their support team (family members, community business partners, other direct care staff, support coordinators, etc.)

What You Can Expect From Us

We’ll celebrate and empower your unique gifts and contributions. We’ll help you help others. You’ll be embraced and uplifted in our inclusive circle of support.

• You’ll have a voice and the autonomy to put into action your ideas for doing your job better—and serve others better.
• Hands-on leadership that empowers team member innovation.
• Opportunities to learn and grow, plus benefits to support your personal and professional well‑being such as health insurance, retirement, and time off.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Full‑Time hourly direct care staff may be eligible for up to $250 per month paid directly to their student loan vendor.

What We Expect Of You

The flexible, respectful individual we see is an innovative and quick thinker with these qualifications:

Join others with your impeccable interpersonal skills, good intentions, and compassion to help people.

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent related experience required
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Valid Driver’s license (in good standing)
• Current auto insurance
• One year of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, or work in an educational field required

We look forward to welcoming someone with the following knowledge and skills:

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Strong ability to cultivate important relationships across multiple constituencies
• Knowledge of best practices in the field of supporting people with developmental disabilities and supported employment
• Proficient computer skills including the ability to use electronic health records systems and ability to learn new systems as necessary
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem-solve and exercise good judgement
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently

About St. Louis Arc

The St. Louis Arc is a non‑profit organization that provides support and services to more than 4,500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities each year. Known for the quality of our staff and culture, the St. Louis Arc was recently recognized as one of the Top 3 Best Places to Work in the “Big Companies” category by St. Louis Business Journal.