Youth Services Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting full time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Youth Services Coordinator in our Community Services Program . This position is responsible for the coordination and provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services for Deafblind students and youth in the downstate NY area. Acts as the primary liaison with state vocational rehabilitation counselors, schools, and participants to ensure that HKNC-CSP services are aligned with the consumer’s abilities, talents, interests, and goals for the future.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Outreach, develop, and maintain relationships with schools in the downstate area that may have DeafBlind students (including but not limited to Lexington, Fanwood, NY Institute for Special Education, Cleary East Islip program, NYC Department of Education Hearing and Vision Services Programs, Mill Neck School for the Deaf, Lavelle School for the Blind).
• Serves as primary liaison with each participant’s New York State Commission for the Blind Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to ensure that training is aligned with participant’s Individualized Plan for Employment. Ensures that needed authorizations are requested and received.
• Collaborates and coordinates with external entities such as schools and other service providers to ensure that all entities share and act on the same transition planning goals. Communicates and collaborates directly with participants’ families and guardians.
• Creates, facilitates, and oversees transdisciplinary service plans carried out by CSP staff
• Provides personal communication and vocational counseling services to participants individually or in groups to ensure well-being and that vocational training needs are met, and the establishment and coordination of long / short term goals. Ensures psychological, physical, educational, social-cultural and rehabilitative needs are met as determined necessary and beneficial to the individual to maximize participation and independence. If necessary, seeks consultation with the clinical social worker, external service providers, or team to determine need for other services in order to maximize the benefit of participation in HKNC CSP services
• Maintain collaboration with NY Deafblind Collaborative – activities may include actively referring consumers between organizations, conducting intake appointments with NYDBC staff, supporting youth group activities such as the Usher syndrome socials and family weekends.
• Conduct vocational assessments with students including coordinating informational interviews, situational assessments, interest inventories, and career exploration.
• Plan and conduct Pre-ETS “Ready to Work” classes. Update the curriculum adding pertinent activities and topics as appropriate.
• Stay abreast of regulations and legislation related to youth services.
• Attend IEP and transition planning meetings.
• Develop and run peer support groups as needed
• Plan summer work experiences for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
• Recruit job coaches for Summer Youth Employment Program. Plan and facilitate training for job coaches.
• In collaboration with CSP Case Manager, provide guidance and assistance to families applying for OPWDD services.
• Provide post secondary school counseling – arrange for tours / interviews at colleges, community colleges, and vocational training programs.
• Plan events such as the CSP Summer Youth Employment Program kick-off breakfast.
• Collaborate with the HKNC DBIE program to provide services to deafblind youth with intellectual disabilities.
• Attend monthly NYSCB Transition Services meetings.
• Attend and report on activities at scheduled meetings such as quarterly NYSCB-CSP meetings and EPM meetings for students on campus at HKNC.
• Perform work related duties, when necessary, at the discretion of the Coordinator, Community Services Program, and the Associate Executive Director.
• Maintain necessary documentation regarding consumer progress, communicate regularly with Community Services Program colleagues, and completes required reports in a timely fashion.

Required : extensive local travel throughout Long Island and New York City. Meeting all job duties and responsibilities may require use of personal vehicle.

Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his / her immediate supervisor and / or the Director of the Department.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Special Education, Deaf Education, Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling or related degree required.

PREFERRED EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

Experience working with individuals who are Deaf-blind, blind, Deaf or multiply disabled strongly preferred.

Salary

39.5344 per hour, $71,952.54 annualized.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. we offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including :

Salary : $71,953