Employment Specialist

Are you looking for a career that makes your heart smile on a daily basis?
Come and work with our amazing students and staff at The Vanguard School!

Founded in 1959 and located on a beautiful 28-acre campus in Malvern, PA, VFES and the Vanguard School are dedicated to the growth and development of children and young adults with a variety of special needs. Through a collaborative and holistic approach to each individual served by the continuum of educational, recreation, and employment services offered, VFES commits to helping all students and participants develop a strong sense of self-worth in their communities in an environment driven by respect, appreciation, learning, and growth.

Title: Employment Specialist
Program/Dept: Customized Workforce Solutions
Reports to: Director of Adult & Recreation Services
Work Year/Day: 12 month, 8 hours per day, unpaid 30 minute Lunch
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Minimum Qualifications
1. Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Social Work or a related field preferred.
2. Two years’ experience in a special education and/or social work setting directly supporting adolescents and/or adults with special needs. Job Coach experience is preferred.
3. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
4. Ability and willingness to travel; and work flexible schedules including some evenings and weekends.
5. Current, valid driver’s license and insurance.
6. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all stakeholders in a community based service (participant, families, funders, referral sources, business partners, and others).
7. Ability to use computers and current software applications at a proficient level.
8. Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
9. Ability to engage intellectually and physically in all components of community-based programming.

General Duties and Responsibilities
The Employment Specialist assists adults with intellectual disabilities in identifying vocational interests, setting employment goals, and obtaining and maintaining employment within the community. The Employment Specialist is also responsible for establishing relationships with local businesses to develop job opportunities for adult participants.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
1. Must establish a schedule of contact with each adult on caseload that corresponds with adult’s service needs.
2. Providean average of 28 billable hours/week or 112 billable hours/month. Travel exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the Director of ARS.
3. Plan and implement a weekly Set-Works calendar that reflects a minimum of 28 hours of billable activity or 112 billable hours across the full month. Each week’s schedule must be entered by Friday of the previous week. (Month is defined as the first day of each month through the last day of each month, not by total number of days/weeks)
4. Work closely with direct supervisor (Director of ARS) to plan and implement a flexible schedule that will allow for planned and unplanned staff time away from work and planned and unplanned adult participant time away from work that accounts for achieving as close to 28 billable hours/week as is possible.
5. Delivery of services includes, but may not be limited to conducting assessments to determine vocational strengths, identifying appropriate employment opportunities, and providing guidance in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment through individualized coaching and support to adult participants placed in community-based employment.
6. Provide travel training to adult participants and assist with transportation as needed.
7. Collect and enter/upload all required forms, i.e., adult participant’s photo, signature pages to Handbook, Releases, and other forms and assessments into Set-Works documentation system immediately following the first contact with the adult participant.
8. All Service Notes must be completed and submitted either during the provision of services, if possible, but no later than midnight of the day the service(s) was delivered.
9. All Waiver funded Service Notes must adhere to the regulatory requirements set forth in accordance with 55 Pa. Code §6100.226.
10. All Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) funded Employment Service Report must adhere to the regulatory requirements set forth through OVR.
11. Closely track adult participant's employment schedule to ensure the adult participant is adhering to the employer’s expectations.
12. Must report to VFES campus, Annex 6 two hours/week to conduct on-site printing, collecting reports that will be necessary to write related reports and ultimately to ensure all adult participant paperwork is uploaded into Set-Works. Individual supervision may also occur during this time.
13. Maintain appropriate records, logs, notes, and travel mileage expense reports representing the full caseload,
14. Maintain frequent contact with all adult participants, their families, and other team members. Attend meetings on behalf of the adult participant as needed.
15. Work in collaboration with employers to develop appropriate strategies, training plans, and fading schedules to assist the adult participant in meeting job expectations.
16. Establish relationships within the business community to develop new employment opportunities for adult participants. Analyze and develop support strategies to be used with the adult participant to perform their job tasks.
17. Demonstrate competency in each of the VFES core values: Communication and Listening, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Ethics, Professionalism, and Teamwork.
18. Comply with all organizational policies and procedures including those stated in the VFES Policies & Procedures manual and additional verbal and written communications provided to staff members.
19. Maintain a professional, confidential and ethical relationship with employers, adult participants, colleagues, administrators, and others at all times.
20. Successfully complete required trainings including Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification; and actively participate in in-service activities and meetings as required.
21. Remain educationally informed through participation in continuing education, workshops, and/or seminars related to the delivery and funding of employment services for adults with special needs.
22. Perform related duties, special assignments and projects as assigned.

VFES offers a competitive salary, full comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, PTO, a robust Employee Assistance Program, and a generous annual contribution to each employees’ 403(b). Top that off with team-building events, staff outings, and working alongside professionals who care deeply about our mission and core values: Communication and Listening, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Ethics, Professionalism, and Teamwork!

VFES and The Vanguard School is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment, be sure to let us know. We're excited to hear from you!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-the-job training

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $48,000 - $50,000