Vocational Support Specialist

Looking to feed your desire to give to your community and support those who need a helping hand? Look no further! Not only is Supported Living and Employment Services growing the amount of its resources, services, and facilities to assist as many communities as possible, it also provides plenty of opportunity for growth in your current field and the freedom to explore others. Our culture and our environment are unlike any other. We offer highly-competitive pay and a full range of top-notch full-time employee benefits such as :

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Short Term Disability

Long Term Disability

Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job Description :

Essential Job Functions :

Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.

Adhere to all confidentiality, CARF, and contractual standards during provision of services.

Maintain flexibility in work availability including evenings, weekends and overnight shifts.

Develop and maintain a working knowledge of disabilities and potential assistive technology / accommodations that can support individuals with disabilities to meet personal and employment goals.

Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological and educational information, and utilize this information to assist clients with skill development, career planning and employment retention.

Contribute to and / or develop individualized service plans with clients.

Conduct activities identified within clients’ individualized service plans.

Coordinate paid, work-based learning experiences with participants to include orientation, new hire paperwork and timesheets, in individual and group settings.

Transport clients to carry out goals and objectives identified in their individualized service plan.

Monitor and report on progress toward individualized service plan goals.

Ensure authorizations for services are current and services provided fall within date ranges of authorizations.

Track and report units of service relative to clients’ authorizations to ensure utilization does not exceed authorized services (daily, monthly or overall).

Complete daily, weekly, monthly and activity based reporting as required for function being performed.

Instruct and facilitate clients’ pre-vocational / vocational, social and independent living skill development.

Develop strategies, lessons and / or curriculum necessary to facilitate skill development based on clients’ individualized service plans.

Establish community-based sites for carrying out skill development and career planning activities.

Assist clients to determine what they learned about themselves regarding strengths, needs, abilities and preferences as it relates to their personal and employment goals.

Provide onsite job supports to assist clients with learning and performing their job duties, interacting with co- workers, and developing natural supports.

Implement a variety of job support techniques to accommodate learning styles and unique needs of clients being supported, including physically assisting with completion of job duties when necessary.

Serve as a liaison between employers, clients and co-workers by assisting clients to acclimate to the requirements, culture and social / behavioral expectations of their work environment.

Educate employers regarding benefits of hiring persons with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations (e.g., assistive technology adaptations, job carving, etc.).

Provide off site job supports such as coordinating additional services, benefits and financial planning / reporting, transportation / bus training and other essential supports as identified in the individualized service plan.

Facilitate long-term employment success by implementing on site / off site job supports adhering to the support type, frequency, location and method of contact with clients identified in the Extended Services Plan.

Respond to crisis situations that may occur with clients at their worksite.

Maintain frequent contact with referral sources for the purpose of discussing shared clients and identifying potential referrals.

Teach and reinforce job seeking and job retention skills with clients.

Create employer relationships and provide customer service to all employers designed to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities.

Serve as an advocate for clients with employers, referral sources and other stakeholders (family, schools, other social service agencies, etc).

Promote the organization, services and clients in a professional manner with employers and through participation in community events and awareness activities, this may include making presentations or public speaking.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

The individual should possess strong customer service skills, have skilled computer knowledge (Word, Excel, internet platforms, other electronic media) and be able to communicate effectively and accurately in verbal and written form.

The individual should have an understanding of supporting individuals with disabilities and / or barriers to employment, education, and / or independent living.

Experience and Education Qualifications :

A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required; an associate’s or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.

Experience in rehabilitation, employment services, case management, social services or other applicable experience is preferred.

Supervisory Requirements :

None

Employment Requirements :

Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record and abuse / neglect.

Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.

All training requirements including Relias Learning at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.

Must have current or be willing to obtain certification in CPR / First Aid.

Current driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and current auto insurance are required.

Must have reliable and acceptable means of transportation in order to transport clients. Acceptable means of transportation does not include Uber, taxi, public transit, pool cars, etc.

Physical Requirements :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is frequently required to sit and stand for extended periods (4-8 hours); extensive walking may be required when conducting field-based activities. Frequent kneeling, crouching, bending and stooping may be required. They must frequently use hands and fingers to write, type, operate a mouse, file documents, and otherwise handle documents. They must talk and hear when responding to in-person and / or phone inquiries. The associate may occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors.

Supported Living and Employment Services is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.