Supported Employment Specialist - ORS

General Description

Responsible for developing and identifying, arranging and coordinating the services, and ensuring access to the ongoing/intermittent supports needed by the person supported with IDD to obtain and maintain employment.

Supported Employment services are centered on the strengths, abilities, and needs of each person supported. Our services are provided in a community setting, and the primary focus is to help people find and keep a job that they like. The role is that of a vocational mentor, social coach and community advocate promoting preparation for a job.

Essential Functions are the minimum requirements of the position:

• Supported Employment (SE) services are designed to assist people with the most significant disabilities, who have been unsuccessful with traditional employment strategies and need ongoing supports, to choose, find and keep employment, in an integrated real work setting, and to earn at least the prevailing minimum wage.
• The Supported Employment Services that may be enlisted to help a person with a significant disability to move toward a goal of employment include:
  • Career Exploration: Based on information gathered from a wide range of sources, begin to explore preferences, strengths, and interests about the types of jobs an individual would like to try.
  • Conduct comprehensive person-centered analysis of the person's history, interviews with family, friends and staff, observing the person performing work skills and career research in order to determine the person's career interests, talents, skills, support needs and needs for potential accommodations.
  • Complete an assessment or vocational evaluation to discover work interests, abilities and preferences.
  • Job development and placement services that help to get a job consistent with the career goal of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
  • Identify specific needs that will require potential accommodations or modifications in order to be successful on the job.
  • Job Preparation services to assist with providing an opportunity to learn about work routines, expectations of a boss, the interview process and identifying individual barriers that may hinder employment success.
  • Skills Training: Skills that are helpful to maintaining a job can be gained in a variety of ways. Volunteering, trying out a job through work trials and on-the-job training programs can be used to learn more about job expectations and work demands; this knowledge helps to make more informed career choices.
  • Customized Employment and Placement Assistance: SE's work with each person to help them secure a job that meets their needs and is consistent with their strengths, resources, preferences, capabilities, and choice.
• Provides job development, job coaching and Job Retention services to individuals with disabilities using a person-centered approach with focused intent and respect.
• Writes and maintains case notes and records visits, contacts, and overall vocational development and progress.
• Understand and utilize negotiating strategies to develop job/work experience opportunities with potential employers.
• Monitor the satisfaction of employees and employers on a weekly basis to ensure job retention

Additional Functions

The physical demands are essential functions for an employee to safely and effectively perform their duties.

Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, climbing stairs, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required.

Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate multimedia equipment including current technology. Computer, keyboard, typewriter, calculator, telephone, and other equipment appropriate for this position.

Attitudes and Personal Qualities

Honest, reliable and trustworthy

Pleasant and respectful

Ability to successfully role model

Strive for excellence

General Requirements

Bachelors or Associates Degree preferred in special education, psychology or a related field.

Minimum of a High school diploma or GED.

ACRE Certification or equivalent required.

Minimum one year relevant experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Maintains a valid Driver's License

Maintains valid vehicle inspection, registration and insurance.

Schedule

• Monday-Friday 9-4 PM (Flexibility required)
• Hours: 35

What we offer you

Pay Rate: $22.00 Hourly

Platinum Plan Benefits (Up to $20K) BCBS Health Insurance (HMO & PPO Plans), Remarkably low bi-weekly employee contributions; Delta Dental Insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); Vision Insurance; Agency sponsored life insurance; 401K Retirement Plan; Vacation time; Sick time; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Tuition Reimbursement up to ($2,400 a year); Aflac Insurance (Accident/Cancer/Life); Pet Insurance; Identity Theft Insurance; Career Development; Employee Health and Wellness events, Employee Discounts and more!

EEO