Community Employment Specialist

"Everything is Better in Person"

Summary Objective

Person County Government is recruiting for a Community Employment Specialist for Person Industries. The purpose of this position is to assist people with disabilities in finding competitive employment, provide on-the-job training and provide long-term support.

Person Industries is a community rehabilitation program that trains people with disabilities for jobs in the community. Employees receive on-the-job work experiences through Person Industries’ onsite and community employment work groups. Person Industries operates the Person County Recycling Center, as well as employs people in work groups in several local industries through production, housekeeping and confidential shredding contracts.

This job works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

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The starting salary will be determined with consideration given to both the candidate's educational background and relevant work experience.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record per County policy.

This is a non-exempt position working 40 hours weekly/2080 hours annually.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Communicates with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor’s; assists with program admissions, participate in provide vocational education services.
• Assists individuals with job exploration through activities such as job shadowing, job sampling and completing job interest assessments; helps clients develop personal and employment goals.
• Provides direct support and training to workers receiving service support in a production setting; advocates for reasonable accommodations as needed; maintains training records; conducts intake, orientation, initial, and safety training.
• Works in groups or one-on-one, teaches job seeking techniques and prepares clients for employment through tasks such as securing I-9 information, role-playing interviews, completing job applications and resumes, and contacting potential employers; explores transportation and community options.
• Searches for potential placement opportunities by using job search tools such as internet, newspaper, network with community employers; proposes job carving and potential accommodations.
• Provides intensive on-the-job training for clients; looks for ways to adapt and modify jobs to suit specific needs of each employee; provides repetitive instruction as necessary; facilitates natural supports at the jobsite; assesses client skills and determines when intensive support is no longer needed.
• Provides long-term support both to individuals and employers to address issues that might arise in employment; teaches new or revised skills; reminds clients of good work behaviors; works with families, support person’s, on issues that arise.
• Discusses the effects of employment on various benefits; contacts guardians and other agencies to obtain information.
• Communicates with teachers, counselors, client family, and employers to ensure continuity of instruction and care.
• Completes required service documentation, including progress notes, individual service plans, interest inventories, outcome measurement assessments, timesheets, behavior interventions, incident reports, and behavior management.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience working with persons with disabilities or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Ability to obtain and maintain physical crisis intervention certifications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications in CPR and First Aid.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Person County conducts pre-employment screening on candidates. Job offers are conditional pending the following:

• A pre-employment drug screen for all candidates. Positions designated by Person County as Safety Sensitive are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• A background check for all candidates. Some positions also require a credit check.
• Additional screening and testing required for some positions.
• Within 3 days of the start of your employment with the County, you must be able to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the US.

Person County Government is an Equal Opportunity/E-Verify Employer