Employment Specialist

Company: Volunteers of America Mid-States
Location: New Albany
Posted on: May 28, 2023

Job Description:

Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a non-profit organization spanning four states that creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. We provide housing for families, veterans, and low-income seniors. - We provide care and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, healing accountability that brings people together with restorative justice, and free HIV testing and education. - When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, "volunteer" referred to anyone who served others as a vocation through a commitment to a mission. Today, we are still staffed by paid, mission-driven professionals working to create positive change and build thriving communities. - Flexibility, teamwork, and fun are some of the reasons our employees are proud to work at VOA! - We offer a comprehensive benefits package to employees who meet eligibility requirements. -






POSITION TITLE: - Employment Specialist

LOCATION: New Albany, IN

PAY RANGE: $17/hour





OVERVIEW:

Assist persons who are labelled intellectually/developmentally disabled to choose, obtain and retain integrated employment in the community. Initially assess the person for an appropriate career/job, then job develop for the person. And when a job is secured, train and provide ongoing support for him/her. -






QUALIFICATIONS: -

1. High School Diploma required.

2. Previous experience in employment services, and/or working with adults with disabilities or similar background desired.

3. Demonstrated skills and ability in word processing and verbal presentation.

4. Maintain a valid driver's license, and maintain insurability as defined by the agency liability insurance carrier. Maintain insurance on personal vehicle. Current proof of insurance must be maintained in personnel file.

5. Must possess and maintain reliable transportation that meets state requirements for transporting persons served.

6. Must possess or be able to obtain CPR, and first aid certification annually and perform as necessary.






ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Coordinate career planning/assessment process for program participants through a person focused determination of interests, strengths, skills, abilities, and needed supports.

2. Develop person centered, meaningful strategies and an employment plan for achieving employment goals of the person served and conduct meetings as appropriate for each employment candidate.

3. Provide motivation, support and counseling as necessary to enhance job readiness for people seeking jobs.

4. Identify labor and employer needs utilizing job development activities, which may include employer contacts, job restructuring, needed accommodations, negotiating duties and compensation.

5. Utilize job and cultural analysis to determine job requirements, then matches those needs with personal interests and abilities of qualified candidates.

6. Coordinate or provide on-going consultation, guidance and follow-up support as required by employee/employer needs.

7. Promote and facilitate integration of the employee into work and community culture through natural supports related to advocacy, positive co-worker relationships and formation of linkages with community resources and services.

8. Provide or coordinate ongoing long-term support services reflecting the needs and desires of the person served.

9. Initiate process to secure performance/satisfaction feedback from employee/employer and funding source and utilizes results to improve services.

10. Work individually and/or with support team members to make efficient use of time and generate required levels of production.

11. Maintain records and progress reporting systems in compliance with agency and position standards/ regulations.

12. Work cooperatively with co-workers, individuals seeking services, the people in that person's life, Vocational Rehabilitation, BDDS, and various vendors.

13. Must be physically capable of performing diverse job functions to assist individuals in learning their job duties. - Such physical acts include, but are not limited to: standing for long periods of time, bending, mopping, sweeping, pushing, lifting items of various weight, and possess manual dexterity skills to operate various tools and equipment. - In addition, must be able to generate case documentation and communicate on the telephone. Physical activities may include but not be limited to: - lifting up 25-50 pounds (depending on person served); bending; reaching; stretching; grasping; visual acuity; walking; squatting, guiding; and transporting.





OTHER FUNCTIONS:

1. Attend/request related training as needed/required.

2. Use personal vehicle to call on employers and transport persons served to interviews and work during initial phase of placement, if necessary.

3. Comply with ethical standards of Volunteers of America Mid-States, APSE, NADSP and other governing/affiliated bodies.

4. Promote and display positive attitude and an overall commitment to the agency's mission, values, and vision.

5. Ability to work flexible, non-standard hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

-QUALIFICATIONS -

1. High School Diploma required.

2. Previous experience in employment services, and/or working with adults with disabilities or similar background desired.

3. Demonstrated skills and ability in word processing and verbal presentation.

4. Maintain a valid driver's license, and maintain insurability as defined by the agency liability insurance carrier. Maintain insurance on personal vehicle. Current proof of insurance must be maintained in personnel file.

5. Must possess and maintain reliable transportation that meets state requirements for transporting persons served.

6. Must possess or be able to obtain CPR, and first aid certification annually and perform as necessary.





BENEFITS:
--- Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package
--- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
--- Life Insurance
--- Long-Term Disability
--- Short Term Disability
--- Flexible Spending Accounts
--- Health Savings Accounts
--- Critical Illness
--- 403B Retirement Savings Plan
--- Employee Assistance Program
--- Paid Vacation Time (based on eligibility)
--- Paid Sick Time (based on eligibility)
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We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Keywords: Volunteers of America Mid-States, Louisville , Employment Specialist, Other , New Albany, Kentucky