Employment Specialist

About the Role

This position provides person-centered vocational and employment services to adults with disabilities or other barriers to employment and supports high school seniors participating in Norse Project SEARCH at Northern Kentucky University. The Employment Specialist guides participants through career discovery, individualized planning, employer outreach, applications, interviews, placement, on-the-job training, and long-term follow-up. The role collaborates with participants, families and support teams, employers, referral partners, and agency staff to promote informed choice, independence, job retention, advancement, and successful employment outcomes while maintaining accurate service and program documentation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with participants and their support teams to complete career discovery and develop individualized, person-centered employment plans based on strengths, interests, preferences, support needs, and characteristics of a successful job match
• Help participants prepare résumés, cover letters, references, portfolios, letters of introduction, thank-you notes, applications, and interview skills
• Identify employment pathways and prospective employers; build relationships with community organizations, employers, referral partners, and funding partners; educate stakeholders about supported-employment opportunities; market services; and negotiate job placements aligned with participant goals and abilities
• Orient participants to job sites, supervisors, coworkers, schedules, pay practices, policies, production expectations, and safety requirements
• Provide on-site job coaching, workplace-readiness training, systematic instruction, technical assistance, demonstrations, natural-support development, and feedback until participants achieve the greatest practical level of independence
• Monitor performance, productivity, and workplace adjustment; provide retraining, intervention, behavior-support strategies, or other assistance when needed
• Provide technical support and assistance to employers by demonstrating effective training and supervision practices and helping identify and implement reasonable job modifications, adaptations, and accommodations
• Maintain ongoing communication with participants, employers, coworkers, families or other supports, agency staff, referral sources, and interdisciplinary partners; advocate for participant needs and rights as appropriate
• Provide extended follow-up services that support job retention, resolve communication or performance concerns, and explore advancement or new career opportunities
• Provide on-site employment supports for Norse Project SEARCH interns across Northern Kentucky University departments
• Complete timely and accurate documentation and reporting, including case notes, service records, placement statistics, performance data, funding and referral-partner requirements, and other records required by regulations, funders, referral sources, and agency procedures
• Perform other related duties that support successful operation and outcomes of the Supported Employment program and overall agency

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services, rehabilitation, education, business, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience sufficient to perform the essential functions will be considered
• Experience supporting people with disabilities or other barriers to employment is preferred; experience in vocational services, job coaching, case management, employer relations, or community-based services is a plus
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel to community employment and program sites are required

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, advocacy, and customer-service skills
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication with participants, employers, support teams, and community partners
• Ability to apply person-centered practices, teach skills using systematic instruction, and adapt training to individual learning needs
• Ability to assess job fit, analyze workplace tasks, monitor performance, and develop practical supports, modifications, or accommodations
• Employer-engagement, networking, job-development, and placement-negotiation skills
• Creative problem-solving, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to respond constructively to workplace challenges
• Strong organization, time management, scheduling, recordkeeping, and regulatory-compliance skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn agency documentation and data systems
• Ability to work independently in community settings while collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary team
• Knowledge of community resources, disability employment supports, confidentiality, informed consent, and participant rights, or the ability to acquire this knowledge quickly

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage
• Critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity coverage
• 401K (3% Employer Match after one year of employment)
• Short- and Long-term disability (Employer paid)
• Basic term life (Employer paid)
• FMLA
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays

About Proudworks

Proudworks has been serving individuals and businesses in Northern Kentucky since 1973, initially established as the Boone Adult Work Activity Center (BAWAC), led by our founding President & CEO, Ken Schmidt. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we are focused on transforming barriers into opportunities—helping people live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. Through our Community Rehabilitation Services (Adult Day Training), we support individuals in building job & life skills, confidence, and meaningful community connections. Our Supported Employment program connects individuals to competitive jobs, providing personalized coaching and ongoing support to help them succeed in the workplace. Our Production department partners with local and regional businesses to deliver high-quality assembly, packaging, and fulfillment work—creating valuable, real-world work experiences for people with disabilities. In addition, our Transportation team provides safe, reliable access to programs, employment, and medical appointments, helping remove one of the biggest barriers to independence. For more than 52 years, Proudworks has continued to evolve to meet the needs of our community—driven by a commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and impact, and made possible through the dedication of our clients, staff, partners, and supporters.