Employment Specialist

Position Summary

The Employment Specialist (ES) is responsible for creating and implementing a plan for each assigned customer in efforts to find employment that fits their job goal, interests and is a reasonable distance from their home. The customer's plan is to include actions to aid in the retention of the position for a designated period of time. The Employment Specialist shall follow company instruction and provide a level of service to its customers that meet and exceed the standards of excellence.

Essential Functions

• Organizes area Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) campaigns and works to develop new business relationships; assists the team to ensure appropriate and sufficient area MOU development.
• Supervises, trains and assists Job Coaches (JC) with job activities; monitors JC work hours to ensure proper tracking.
• Searches for On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities that match the customer’s interests, abilities and are a reasonable distance to their home; researches online job boards, company websites and social media; networks with hiring managers and human resources to promote service in efforts to find OJT opportunities.
• Aids customers with applications and assessments as needed.
• Helps the customer prepare for interviews by providing instruction on how to write a resume, how to complete and follow-up on job applications; assists and coaches customers with interviewing skills.
• Maintains contact with customers via phone, text, email or in person on a regular basis prior to placement; documents all customer information in database program; communicates with each customer a minimum of once per week and meets with customers in person no less than once per month.
• Aids customers in following up on applications with specific employers; documents customer’s progress in database program; transports customer as needed to assist in the application follow-up and interview process.
• Ensures the customer begins and retains employment by offering support, ensuring appropriate training, coaching and communicating through the life of the case; communicates with employers and helps to solve issues that may arise to ensure job retention.
• Maintains regular communication with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors regarding the progress of each customer.
• Drives clients to various locations as needed.
• Completes other assigned tasks as directed.

Qualifications

• Job Knowledge
• Leadership
• Critical and Strategic Thinking
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication
• Sales Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management

Skills & Abilities

• Education: High School diploma required; some college including a degree in any field preferred.
• Experience: No experience necessary; experience working with individuals with a disability and/or prior counseling, job placement, job coaching or working within public vocational rehabilitation programs is preferred.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Suite, Adobe and web-based database systems; CRM experience preferred.
• Background Screening Requirement: This position requires a level 2 background screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.
• Other Requirements: Open availability required; must be available during days, evenings and weekends. Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, auto registration, auto insurance with minimum coverage of bodily injury $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident. Bilingual is a plus (English / Spanish); ASL is a plus. Confidentiality and the ability to manage multiple deadlines is required. Must have own computer, printer, smartphone with data plan, and high-speed internet connection.

Supervision

Supervises Job Coach positions.

Travel

Local travel required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Environment: Office environment and in the field at various business locations.
• Physical: Standing, walking, reaching and prolonged periods sitting while driving and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds as needed.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents.
• Hearing: Hear within the normal audio range with or without correction.

Pay

The estimated average, annual pay rate for this full-time, hourly position is $60,000-$70,000/year which includes an hourly pay rate $16.25 an hour, plus an estimated bonus.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Bonus Potential (eligible positions)
• Flexible work schedule for exceptional work/life balance
• Pet Insurance