Employment Readiness Specialist

About the Role

As an Employment Readiness Specialist, you will work in a specialized day-support style program where individuals with disabilities build skills and confidence in their employment abilities. The goal of the program is to support a transition from day program into a sustainable and integrated community employment opportunity. You will deliver services to individuals in the Employment Readiness Program, supporting them to grow essential workplace skills, and provide group-based supports both in classroom and community settings. Complete documentation in compliance with the requirements of funding partners and regulatory bodies.

Primary Duties

• Prepare and conduct engaging, relevant, and informative group sessions that support the skill growth of the participants in program.
• Support participants to engage in work experiences with community employers including informational interviews, shadowing, workplace tours, and volunteering.
• Seek feedback from participants and their support team regarding pre-employment transition services provided to learn satisfaction and to update curriculum topics and activities.
• Attain positive satisfaction ratings on feedback surveys.
• Maintain positive partnerships with members of the participants' support teams and other programs, resources, community partners and employers to support the success of individuals in the program.
• Complete required documentation and maintain files.
• Maintain familiarity and compliance with regulatory requirements, funding partners, and CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities).

Additional Responsibilities

• Collect, complete, and maintain required documentation, which may include billing reports, participant reports, and case notes, etc.
• Maintain accurate and detailed information regarding the supports provided, progress of the individual in achieving employment goals.
• Maintain case files and records to CARF standards. This includes completing and renewing annual releases, individual employment/service plans, and updating participant's physical and electronic files.
• Provide counseling, behavior intervention, and crisis intervention, responding to the needs of the participants' physical health, mental health, and safety.
• Ensure that the vocational and non-vocational needs of the individuals served are being met. Provide holistic and person-centered services.
• Coordinate and participate in Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process pertaining to the participant's outcomes and support activities.
• Communicate with directors, supervisors, rehabilitation counselors, support coordinators, families, significant others and/or any others, regarding employment readiness activities and progress of participant with career exploration, soft skills building and work experiences.
• Provide support in areas of program design, development, and implementation.
• Transport participants to employment settings. Frequent local travel, particularly in the areas of Fairfax County, Prince William Count, Arlington County, and Alexandria.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED).
• One (1) year experience working with people with disabilities.
• Valid driver's license and/or access to reliable transportation to perform work-related travel. Must be eligible to be covered under the ServiceSource driver's insurance. Must pass the online driving training, if eligible to drive.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Education, Marketing, or another related field.
• Preferred: Experience providing supported employment services.
• Preferred: Experience conducting training.
• Preferred: Experience building partnerships with community organizations and employers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• An energetic, compassionate, organized self-starter, and team player who can relate to people at all levels.
• Public speaking and training skills, with the ability to follow a curriculum, customize activities, and train and teach in a group setting in an engaging and informative manner.
• Ability to respond appropriately to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to complete accurate and thorough daily notes and create and follow person-centered plans.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Knowledge of employment transition supported employment, and job training issues for persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of behavior intervention and crisis intervention counseling techniques and principles.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Internet, and email navigation with the ability to teach these skills to participants.
• Good writing skills - correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Work Environment

The noise level in the ServiceSource work environment is usually quiet. The noise level at worksites could be quiet, moderate, or loud. The employee may be visiting a variety of worksites and may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions.

Pay

$20/hour

Schedule

Consistent weekday schedule with NO evenings or weekends required.

Benefits

• 3+ weeks of PTO in your first year
• 11 Federal Holidays observed
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision coverage through Cigna
• Generous 403(b) & 401(a) retirement plans with employer contributions
• 100% Company-Paid Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
• Clear career advancement opportunities and promotion pathways
• Tuition reimbursement & professional development funding
• $500 annual wellness reimbursement
• Health coverage for you and your family through Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Financial protection with 100% company paid Disability, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• A 403(b)-Retirement plan in which the company matches dollar for dollar on a generous percentage matching up to 3% of your contribution
• Tax advantages through Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts that allow you to pay for specific healthcare and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
• Employee Assistance Program, Wellness Program, and Tuition Assistance
• A generous paid time-off program in which the benefits increase based on your tenure with the company
• And many additional employee perks!