POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Employment Specialist I is responsible for providing career planning, job readiness training, service coordination, employment opportunity development, program admissions, and assessments which promote a vocational and employment-oriented philosophy for individuals with disabilities seeking community-based services, and employment. Empowering individuals to reach their career goals by developing technical and soft skills and accessing community-based resources and work opportunities is the primary role of this position. The Employment Specialist I supports the mission, vision, and values of the organization, and upholds and enforces the guidelines and policies of the organization, demonstrates Lanakila Pacific’s values of teamwork, excellence, achievement, motivation and Lanakila Pacific in all personal interactions with others and exemplifies Lanakila Pacific’s STAR service standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Position Specific Duties
- Develop employment plans that fit the individual’s aptitudes, education level, physical abilities, interests, priorities, and career goals.
- Assist participants in obtaining competitive employment.
- Provide education and support in exploring and accessing community services, assistive technology and equipment, communication/interpersonal skills and socialization, community mobility, financial management, health and wellness, home management, safety/emergency skills, and vocational adjustment.
- Lead group classes to develop participant career awareness and “employability” skills needed to gain and maintain employment.
- Conduct telehealth classes on various online videoconferencing platforms, such as MS Teams, Zoom, Google Meets, and WebEx.
- Provide ongoing support to participants and their employers including the identification of problem areas and provide recommendations.
- Participate in resolving workplace behavioral issues with participants and their circle of support including but not limited to case manager, family, and workplace supervisor.
- Responsible for the admission and transition process into employment services which includes communication with referral sources; coordination of internal and external services; and leading and conducting intake meetings.
- Identify and support participants in various technical training programs and provide coaching as needed.
- Perform job coaching duties as needed.
- Participate in the interviewing, selecting, training and development of job coaches.
- Provides ongoing training to job coaches as needed or required, and new hire training.
- Communicates effectively with all clients, programs/departments, and staff, both orally and in writing; can read and understand written material and can write effectively to meet the job requirements.
- Promote and model continuous learning and professional development on topics that relate to adults with disabilities.
- Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
Other Duties:
- Demonstrates cultural competency and the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and cognitive abilities without bias.
- Serves as a role model for the staff, participants, and volunteers and as a member of the leadership team works to create a healthful and respectful environment.
- Ensures all safety procedures and practices are followed and enforced, and that safeguards and proper safety gear, such as gloves, are used when appropriate.
- Demonstrates the ability to work with confidential information and comply with established policies, procedures, and practices.
- Demonstrates a willingness to gain and possess thorough knowledge of Lanakila Pacific’s programs and seeks ongoing educational opportunities related to the position.
- Performs other reasonably related business duties as assigned.
- Completes training as mandated by organizational policy.
WORKING CONDITIONS/HOURS:
- Scheduled to work 5 days a week. Monday to Friday, 7:30 am-4:30 pm. 8-hour shift may vary. May be required to work outside of normal business hours including weekends and holidays to meet operational needs and contract requirements.
- Indoor, office setting, outdoors; may need to do deliveries, travel to other program sites, meeting sites, etc., as required.
EQUIPMENT USE:
- Basic level proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Database, or comparable programs or other comparable programs
- Other standard office equipment such as computer, laptop, copy machine, printer, fax machine, projector, etc.
- Company vehicle.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, human services, or human resources from an accredited college or university and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment OR
- Bachelor’s degree in another field from an accredited college or university and two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment OR
- Associate’s degree and three years of progressively responsible experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment OR
- High School Diploma and four years of progressively responsible experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment.
- Clearance/Certification: Must maintain the following clearances/certification: 1) TB clearance, 2) current First Aid and CPR Certification (Obtain on the job), 3) Criminal Background check, 4) Pre-employment drug testing, 5) Child Protective Service check/Adult Protective Service check, 6) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), 7) HireRight Background Check
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving abstract with access to an insured vehicle.
Preferred:
- Experience: Supervisory or management, certified training related to community rehabilitation, employment support professional, or work incentives benefits counseling.
MENTAL DEMANDS :
- Ability to plan and organize tasks and possess sufficient flexibility to respond to changing situations; requires ability to continuously repeat instructions and remain calm.
- Use considerable initiative and exercise good judgment.
- Ability to multi-task and work under minimal supervision.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressure.
- Ability to work with a diverse group of people and at times under difficult situations.
- Ability to maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.