Employment Specialist - FL

Join the future of Heritage Christian vocational services!  Are you interested in an exciting opportunity assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in finding Employment Solutions?   You will be an ally to people by encouraging them to achieve their goals to secure and maintain meaningful employment opportunities.  And you will advocate for people with disabilities to have equal access to careers in their communities. Be more than one thing working at Heritage Christian.  

Pay for this position: $20.93 - $22.90 / hr

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above range represents the organization's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

• Support individuals with a range of disabilities both on and off the job site, developing employment-related skills, independence, and workplace readiness.
• Work with students to prepare for employment and vocational training through career exploration, work-readiness activities, skill development, work experiences, and other transition-related services.
• Use a variety of teaching and coaching techniques to assist individuals in learning job duties, developing workplace skills, increasing independence, and achieving success in their employment or vocational training setting.
• Develop individualized employment opportunities by identifying an individual’s interests, skills, abilities, and employment goals and matching these with appropriate businesses and employment settings.
• Engage with the business community to develop employment opportunities, including jobs, work experiences, job shadows, informational interviews, vocational assessments, work-based learning opportunities, and other activities that support employment outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the person receiving services, employers, co-workers, families, educators, funding partners, and other members of the individual’s support team to establish effective working relationships and promote successful employment outcomes.
• Maintain effective communication with individuals receiving services, families, employers, schools, funding partners, and other members of the individual’s support team, providing timely updates and addressing concerns appropriately.
• Complete and submit required documentation accurately and within established timelines, including documentation required by Heritage Christian Services and applicable funding partners.
• Maintain an understanding of the requirements, regulations, service definitions, authorizations, documentation standards, and expectations of multiple funding partners and ensure services are provided in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Monitor service authorizations and manage time effectively to ensure services are delivered within authorized parameters while maintaining the department’s expected billable-hour percentage.
• Identify and implement any needed safeguards at each job site to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the person receiving services.
• Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the individual’s personal information in accordance with HIPAA and all applicable Heritage Christian Services policies, including appropriate storage and handling of documentation during non-working hours.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic records and effectively utilize technology for documentation, communication, scheduling, service delivery, and other required responsibilities.
• Attend all scheduled training required by Heritage Christian Services, participate in staff meetings and training sessions, and implement new procedures and practices as communicated by EA leadership team.
• Attend trainings and maintain knowledge of requirements and best practices as mandated by funding partners and applicable regulatory agencies.
• Facilitate and maintain positive relationships with businesses to improve the employment experience for supported employees and promote inclusive workplaces.
• Advocate for individuals receiving services and assist them in identifying and achieving their employment goals while promoting choice, self-determination, independence, and inclusion.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills by effectively managing multiple individuals, employers, service requirements, documentation deadlines, schedules, and competing priorities.
• Demonstrate sound professional judgment, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and the ability to adapt services and supports to changing individual, employer, and program needs.
• Travel throughout the assigned region is an essential function of the position to provide in-person support to individuals, meet with businesses, and participate in meetings with families and team members as appropriate. Travel is typically in the employee’s personal vehicle, with an agency vehicle used when available. Virtual services should only be provided at the request of the individual receiving services.

TRAINING REQUIRED:

Employment Specialists providing Supported Employment (SEMP) services are required to complete training in accordance with current OPWDD regulations and guidance.

• Staff providing SEMP services must participate in OPWDD’s Innovations in Employment Supports Training. This requirement applies to staff providing and billing for SEMP services, including employment specialists, job coaches, job developers, supervisors, managers, and directors.
• Staff providing SEMP services must complete 24 hours of OPWDD-approved Innovations in Employment Supports Training no later than December 31 of the second year following their date of hire or transfer into SEMP services.
• Following completion of the initial 24 hours, staff providing SEMP services must complete at least 6 hours of continuing education in SEMP each calendar year, beginning with the calendar year following completion of the initial training requirement.

OPWDD SEMP Training Requirements and Guidance:
OPWDD Supported Employment (SEMP) regulations and training requirements

• Staff providing services funded through ACCES-VR must complete applicable NYS CASE (Career Advancement and Support for Employment) training requirements established by ACCES-VR for Core Rehabilitation Services (CRS) vendors. Staff are responsible for completing required training tiers and maintaining required continuing education in accordance with current ACCES-VR requirements.
• Once required NYS CASE training tiers have been completed, staff must complete six hours of continuing education annually during the applicable ACCES-VR contract term. Training requirements may be updated by ACCES-VR and staff are expected to remain current with all applicable requirements. (Adult Career Services)

ACCES-VR NYS CASE Training Information:
NYS CASE Training – ACCES-VR / NYSED

• High School diploma or High School Equivalency required; college experience preferred. Relevant college coursework or experience may include human services, education, vocational rehabilitation, business, or a related field.
• Valid driver’s license that is in compliance with Heritage Christian Services’ motor vehicle record standards, and reliable transportation to and from work.
• Ability to work a rotation of shifts, including flexibility with schedules, is required.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and effectively organize time and workload is required.
• Ability and temperament to work effectively with people with a range of disabilities is required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, employers, educators, funding partners, and other professionals.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships with businesses and community partners and to identify and develop employment opportunities.
• Ability to understand and follow regulations, service requirements, documentation standards, and policies associated with multiple funding partners.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals to further assure their growth, development, independence, and achievement of employment goals.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of work environments and respond effectively to changing individual and employer needs.
• Ability to effectively use technology to complete required documentation, communication, scheduling, and other job responsibilities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to maintain the department’s expected billable-hour percentage.
• Ability to demonstrate professional judgment, problem-solving skills, initiative, and follow-through.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.