Employment Specialist - $1,500 Sign-on Bonus

About the role

As an Employment Specialist, you'll partner with people with disabilities to discover what matters to them, explore career possibilities, build job skills, and find meaningful employment in their community. This position supports adults, students, and people receiving post-secondary employment services throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Responsibilities

• Build positive relationships with the people you support and learn about their interests, strengths, skills, and goals.
• Use the Discovery process and other Customized Employment strategies to help people identify careers that match their unique abilities, interests, and contributions.
• Support people in exploring competitive, integrated employment, self-employment opportunities, volunteer experiences, career exploration, and other pathways that lead to meaningful work.
• Help each person make informed choices about their employment goals while respecting their preferences and decisions.
• Assist with every step of the job search process, including:
  • Creating resumes
  • Completing applications
  • Preparing for interviews
  • Contacting employers
  • Practicing interview skills
  • Learning workplace expectations
  • Preparing for orientation and onboarding
• Develop relationships with local employers and advocate for inclusive hiring practices.
• Educate employers on the value of employing people with disabilities.
• Provide job coaching, individualized training, and ongoing employment support so people gain confidence and independence in their work.
• Encourage natural supports in the workplace by building positive relationships with supervisors and coworkers.
• Partner with family members, employers, schools, vocational counselors, case managers, and other members of each person's support team.
• Coordinate referrals, participate in intake meetings, and help determine which employment services are the best fit for each person.
• Develop person-centered employment plans that reflect each person's strengths, employment goals, support needs, and progress.
• Complete billing, service documentation, and reporting in compliance with state and federal regulations, agency policies, and funding requirements.
• Maintain documentation that meets the standards for 245D Home and Community-Based Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), and Extended Employment (EE) services.
• Meet productivity and billing expectations while maintaining high-quality, person-centered support.

Requirements

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting people with disabilities, workforce development, employment services, job coaching, or vocational rehabilitation.
• Experience with Customized Employment is welcome but not required.

MSS provides training in the Discovery process and Customized Employment strategies because we believe employment should be built around each person's strengths, interests, and contributions.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the Minnesota Designated Coordinator qualifications under 245D Home and Community-Based Services by meeting one of the following:

• A bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of experience providing direct support to people with disabilities; or
• An associate degree in a related field and two years of experience providing direct support to people with disabilities; or
• A diploma in a related human services field from an accredited post-secondary institution and three years of full-time experience providing direct support to people with disabilities; or
• At least 50 hours of education and training related to human services and four years of full-time experience providing direct support services to people with disabilities under the supervision of a qualified staff person.

Additional Requirements

• Successfully pass a background study required by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and MSS.
• Possess a valid driver's license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and be insurable under the agency's insurance policy.
• Have reliable transportation to travel throughout the service area.
• Be comfortable using technology to document services, communicate with team members, and complete required documentation.

Benefits

• $1,500 sign-on bonus paid over your first six months.
• Competitive pay, benefits, and bonuses. This job pays between $21 and $24 per hour to start, with regular raises.
• Employees who work 30 or more hours per week have comprehensive health and dental benefits, generous paid time off, and recruitment bonuses for bringing new members to the MSS team. Learn about our benefits package.
• A supportive team environment with experienced co-workers and management.

Pay

$21–$24 per hour to start, with regular raises.

Schedule

Full-time (30 or more hours per week) to qualify for comprehensive benefits.