Employment Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides job coaching and supports for a designated caseload, which include: on site assessments, job training, soft skills training, skills training, job retention skills, mobility training, coworker support and advocacy.
• Provides job development services for individuals currently seeking employment.  This includes assisting individuals with searching for jobs, applying for jobs, preparing for and attending interviews and following up with employers after a job interview and/or offers of employment.
• Initiates and maintains ongoing relationships with businesses, sets up and maintains employer profiles and contact logs.
• Arranges and provides job exploration activities, vocational training, job coaching supports, and work experiences for individuals who have a goal of paid employment to help them crystalize a career goal. 
• Assists students with the transition from high school to college. This includes, but not limited to, post-secondary career counseling, job exploration, college supports, work readiness training, and self-advocacy trainings. 
• Reviews potential barriers to employment with individuals and create plans for ways to overcome barriers.
• Assesses the skills and abilities of individuals in community employment settings to provide professional guidance and recommendations on the most appropriate employment services.
• Provides information about available services, programs, and employment opportunities to individuals, family members and other support providers.
• Explains and conveys to employers any special requirements that candidates may have in order to perform a job optimally.
• Maintains ongoing contact with employers to ensure they are satisfied with all aspects of the services provided as well as the performance of the employee.
• Attends meetings for individuals as well as participates in required departmental meetings, special projects, and in-services or other trainings.
• Maintains and assures security of all confidential files and information on individuals receiving services, provides documentation in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
• Documents services provided with daily notes and monthly reports. 
• Informs the Director of Employment Services of concerns with worker placements, employer issues, or sensitive situations pertaining to individuals receiving services.
• This position requires a two week notice of voluntary resignation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES

Knowledge Areas:  Strong communication skills (verbally and written), adaptability/flexibility, personal accountability, compliance with policy/procedures/regulations, build and maintain collaborative relationships, business ethics, employee/employer relations (coaching, training, motiving), strong time management skills, works well as part of a team, problem solving, record keeping procedures, various computer programs and applications, adherence to training requirements, maintains confidentiality, safety and security. 

Skills: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Changes approach/method to best fit the situation; Manages difficult or emotional situations, while keeping one's own emotions under control; Follows instructions and responds promptly to needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for assistance; Meets commitments; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Maintains confidentiality; Sound decision making and judgment, interpersonal skills, planning/organizing, strategic thinking and time management.  The ability to work independently in multiple settings.  Ability to interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports and business correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, individuals receiving services, employers, and the general public; Must be knowledgeable about various software programs and proprietary applications; Become trained in the use of Therap for plan writing, event reporting and ongoing communication. Become trained in the use of New York Employment Services System (NYESS).

Competencies:

·  Efficiency: Demonstrates highly efficient time management skills; adept at multi-tasking to accomplish goals; performs activities in an orderly, efficient, and cohesive manner; plans schedule in a way to improve productivity and efficiency. 

·  Customer Service:  Consistently exceeds individual and business expectations by working efficiently and ensuring that all job quality standards are met; listens to businesses and individuals attentively, addresses their concerns; enacts a personal approach to service provision; projects a professional image; maintains composure and preforms to agency standards in high pressure situations; conducts appropriate investigations to identify the root cause of any problems while including the employer and searching for collaborative resolution; maintains integrity at all times.

·  Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with respect, collaboration, and support in such a way that work
relationships are improved so morale and job satisfaction are increased; discusses interpersonal disagreements and conflict and assists individual to problem solve; is approachable, helpful, and trustworthy; communicates well with others.

·  Organization and Planning:Maintains an accurate schedule of events; prioritizes activities correctly to ensure deliverables are produced on time; electronic and hard copy files are systematically arranged and easily retrievable; understands the departmental and organizational calendars.

·  Record Keeping:Maintains various Agency files, paperwork, and documentation to ensure compliance with standard business procedures and local, state, and federal law; retains documentation using hard copy and electronic formats; is well organized, accurate, and current.

·  Teamwork:Works with a spirit of collaboration; willing to assist other Team Members in order to ensure success; helps others without being asked; demonstrates consistency in working additional or irregular hours on short notice due to business needs.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma and 1 year of relevant work experience required. Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from an accredited University / College in a human service preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

Frequent:  sitting, time spent on the telephone, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and office equipment, standing, bending, and stooping, twisting of waist side-to-side, turning and flexion of the neck, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

SPECIAL NOTES, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

License:  Must possess a valid NYS driver's license and an acceptable driving record.  Successful completion of all required agency/state/federal training.

Language:  Fluent English communication skills are required of this position. 

Working Conditions:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·  Works with household cleaning solutions.

·  Regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.

·  The employee is regularly exposed to dusty conditions.

·  The employee is regularly exposed to varying temperature levels.

·  The employee is regularly exposed to high noise environments.

·  Work may be performed indoors and/or outdoors depending on employment needs.

·  Works with electric/hydraulic/manual lift/ramp equipment, and office equipment.

·  Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment at all times.

·  Responsibilities occasionally may require an adjusted work schedule including overtime.

Americans with Disabilities Act:  Reasonable accommodations will be made in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADAAA of 2008.