Direct Placement Employment Specialist

Job Title: Direct Placement Employment Specialist
Department:  Employment Services
Reports To: Employment Services Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary

Develops and places individuals with special needs in community settings, assisting them to reach their employment goals. Supports individual choice, community integration and self-determination on all levels.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Inspires, supports, coordinates and places individuals with special needs in community-based settings. Works closely with each participant to help them determine their desired career path.
2. Builds relationships with business partners, ensuring that they experience New Horizons as a valued resource and partner.
3. Assesses Member’s abilities, skills, limitations and preferences while they are in the Job Club to determine appropriate job placements.
4. Runs the job club and updates pertinent information for clients waiting for job placement.
5. Completes all New Horizons and Department of Rehab paperwork on a timely and accurate basis.
6. Strongly supports each placement, with an emphasis on the first 90 days as designed by the Department of Rehabilitation.
7. Responsible for helping clients develop ISP goals.
8. Teaches clients the skills they need for job-searches, including completing a resume and application, effective interviewing skills, dressing appropriately, and appropriate workplace behavior and attitude.
9. Meets with employers to develop individual placements. The expectation is that an average of at least three Individual Placements for each month.
10. If the Employment Specialist does not meet the expectation of three placements during a given month, at the end of the second consecutive month of failing to meet the minimum of six required placement, a notice will be provided that he/she must have a total of nine placements for an average of three placement per month at the end of third month or that person may be terminated for failure up to expectation.
11. The employment specialist will flex his/her schedule as needed to meet the goals of the department and position.
12. Assists others within the department as needed to support the common goals of the department and agency.
13. Maintain case records up to CARF and other partner standards.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

1. Completes all paperwork, documentation, or progress notes timely and correctly.
2. Attends meetings and trainings as directed.
3. Supports the Agency’s mission and partners with others to accomplish the mission.
4. Maintains the highest professional and ethical standards at all times.
5. Performs additional duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Thorough knowledge of labor market and job development methods; knowledge of vocational barriers faced by adults with special needs.

The individual must have a reliable vehicle, proof of vehicle insurance, a valid California Drivers License, and a driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carriers.

Education and/or Experience

A high school diploma or equivalent; two-years’ experience working with adults with developmental disabilities or a background in sales is required.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents in English such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write in English routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively in English before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk to hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.