Employment Specialist IDD

About the role

As an Employment Specialist, you'll help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) discover their strengths, explore career interests, and achieve greater independence through meaningful employment. Serving as a vocational mentor, social coach, and community advocate, you'll build relationships with the people we support and local employers to create employment opportunities that align with each individual's interests, abilities, preferences, and goals. This is a community-based, relationship-driven role focused on helping individuals prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment while building confidence, independence, and workplace skills.

The Impact: As an Employment Specialist, you help turn strengths and potential into real opportunities—supporting individuals in building confidence, independence, community connections, and the pride that comes with meaningful employment.

Responsibilities

• Career Exploration & Preparation
  • Explore each individual's interests, strengths, abilities, preferences, and career goals through interviews, observation, assessments, and hands-on experiences.
  • Identify skills, support needs, potential barriers, and workplace accommodations.
  • Prepare individuals for employment by building skills related to workplace expectations, routines, communication, interviewing, and professionalism.
  • Provide opportunities to develop workplace skills through volunteering, work trials, on-the-job training, and other community-based experiences.
• Job Development & Placement
  • Identify and develop employment opportunities that align with each individual's strengths, preferences, capabilities, and career goals.
  • Build positive relationships with employers and community partners.
  • Use creative negotiation and customized employment strategies to develop meaningful job opportunities and work experiences.
  • Assist individuals in obtaining integrated employment consistent with their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
• Job Coaching & Retention
  • Provide individualized job coaching and ongoing support to help individuals learn their responsibilities and succeed in the workplace.
  • Promote independence while providing support to address workplace challenges and changing needs.
  • Maintain regular communication with employees and employers to monitor satisfaction, address concerns, and promote long-term job retention.
• Documentation & Professional Responsibilities
  • Maintain accurate and timely case notes, service documentation, employer contacts, and vocational progress records.
  • Document job coaching, skill development, employment activities, and progress toward individual goals.
  • Provide all services using a person-centered approach grounded in dignity, respect, choice, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Bachelors or Associates Degree preferred in special education, psychology or a related field.
• Minimum of a High school diploma or GED.
• ACRE Certification or equivalent required.
• Minimum one year relevant experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Maintains a valid Driver's License.
• Maintains valid vehicle inspection, registration and insurance.

Benefits

Full Time: 35 Hours. Schedule: Monday–Friday 9-4 PM (Flexibility required). Pay: $23/hourly.

• Comprehensive Platinum Benefits Package valued at $15,000 to $20,000 annually.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield medical insurance with HMO and PPO options.
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
• Delta Dental.
• Eye Med Vision Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Agency-sponsored life insurance.
• Four vacation time, sick time, holiday pay.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• AFLAC supplemental coverage options for accident, cancer, and life insurance.
• Up to $2,400 annually in tuition reimbursement.
• Pet insurance.
• Identity theft protection.
• $1,000 employee referral bonus.
• Employee appreciation and celebration events throughout the year.