What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vocational Coordinator position at St. Louis Arc?
Be Part of our Circle.
We empower people to live their best life. That is our mission—not only to those we serve but to those we employ. This mutually shared sense of purpose drives our decisions and actions. Come as you are and achieve better lives as part of the St. Louis Arc family of individuals in this vital role. The Vocational Coordinator will provide career planning services to help people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities identify and achieve their competitive integrated employment-related goals.
What you will do:
- Secure partnerships with area non-profit businesses at which to complete volunteer work, unpaid work experiences, and assessments. Work with these businesses to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership
- Effectively build business relationships that will evolve into long-term partnerships with hiring potential
- Guide and support Path to Employment staff towards completing assessments and identifying vocational goals
- Objectively evaluate a person’s knowledge, skills, and abilities for competitive integrated employment
- Attend and actively participate in all relevant planning meetings for people supported
- Responsible for the development of the Positive Personal Profile, Career Plan, the Employment section of the ISP (including program-specific outcomes and action steps), and other administrative tasks as needed
- Develop diverse opportunities for paid employment at both volunteer sites and other locations through:
- Meeting prospective employers
- Developing job opportunities
- Supporting at job interviews
- Customizing and negotiating job opportunities as appropriate
- Aligning needs with opportunities
- Collaborate with the Employment Services department to ensure coordination and communication regarding business partnerships
- This role will also serve as the primary liaison between area businesses and the program
- Provide direct support to participants as needed
What you can expect from us:
- Voice and autonomy to put into action your ideas for doing your job better—and serve others better.
- Hands-on leadership that empowers team member innovation.
- Opportunities to learn and grow, plus benefits to support your personal and professional well-being—such as health insurance, retirement, and time off.
What we expect of you:
The flexible, respectful individual we see is an innovative and quick thinker with these qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree or some post-secondary education required
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- Valid Driver’s license (in good standing)
- Current auto insurance
- Two years’ experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or work in an educational field required
- Previous experience in supported employment and/or job discovery required
- Sales experience preferred
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Understanding of essential business practices and ability to learn about many diverse businesses and their staffing needs
- Strong ability to cultivate important relationships across multiple constituencies
- Knowledge of best practices in the field of supporting people with developmental disabilities and supported employment
- Proficient computer skills including the ability to use electronic health records systems and the ability to learn new systems as necessary
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing
- Ability to problem-solve and exercise good judgment
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
Join others with your impeccable interpersonal skills, good intentions, and compassion to help people.
Apply today.
About St. Louis Arc:
Since 1950, people with disabilities and their families have been placing their trust in the St. Louis Arc. Today, our 400 team members serve more than 4,500 children, teens, and adults with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and intellectual and other developmental disabilities.