Employment Specialist, Goodwill Re-Entry Initiative F/T

Description

Hourly Pay range: $20.35 - $27.27

This position typically pays $20.35/Hour

SUMMARY 

Work as part of the interdisciplinary team to assist individuals receiving services in identifying and making choices about their social, vocational and personal goals; and in choosing, getting and keeping individual competitive employment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assist with coordinating the intake process for new referrals and/or interdepartmental transfers to include review of referral materials/Master File, conducting a comprehensive intake interview, development of an Individual Service Plan (ISP) with individual receiving services and other interdisciplinary team members, and completion of required documentation to complete the intake process.

Implement the ISP and insure employment readiness (i.e. appropriate attire, bus fare/tokens, etc.) and the smooth and timely transition to employment.

Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, family members, residential providers, funders, and any other internal and external contacts to insure pertinent resources are available to individuals.  

Schedule and facilitate interdisciplinary team meetings to develop, enhance and review the ISP to insure smooth and timely coordination of services and supports, including those necessary to meet personal care needs and individual goals.

Empower individuals receiving services to maximize their input regarding services/supports that are provided by supporting self-advocacy activities. 

Assist with identifying and addressing barriers that may exist that need to be rectified prior to beginning an active job search. Identified areas of need may include, but are not limited to: Acquisition of Personal Documents (i.e. State ID, birth certificate, driver’s license, etc.), Financial Obligations/Goals, Re-unification with children or other family members, Substance Use Counseling and/or detox, Housing, etc.

Assist in the development and facilitation of training programs to include but not be limited to, Good Path. Provide instruction on topics such as job seeking, job retention and relevant life skills (i.e. travel training, sexuality awareness and abuse prevention, socialization and self-advocacy).

Review information about individuals from such sources as records, tests, interviews, and other professionals, to become familiar with the individual's interests, aptitudes, abilities, personality characteristics, and special needs related to vocational planning and job development. Stay abreast of labor market trends.

Assist in development of a professional resume for each assigned program participant to be used during the job search and that will highlight areas of strength and prior job experience, as applicable. 

Ensure person-centered job placements that match individual's skills, needs and vocational goals, as established by supervisor. May conduct on-site job analysis to determine if job requirements and work environment match individual's skills, needs, and vocational goals. May arrange and facilitate interviews with prospective employers.  

May train individuals to perform their essential work tasks in an appropriate and productive manner specific to the workplace. Ensure that employer's production and quality control needs are met. This may require the employment specialist to complete actual work tasks, as appropriate and/or to document attendance, work produced, etc. Facilitate opportunities for individuals to maximize their integration into the workplace.  

Work with the employer to ensure that a safe and accessible work environment exists. Act as a resource for employers regarding disability issues or other barriers to employment.

Provide ongoing job retention support and perform job retention verification activities, as necessitated for program performance and outcome reporting.

Provide crisis intervention and utilize approved behavioral management techniques to enhance the individuals' success in the workplace.

Provide required communication and documentation to meet agency, state, federal and other pertinent standards and guidelines. Ensure that all required documentation for payroll and progress reports, service delivery and participation is completed in a thorough and timely manner.

Use of computer to complete service documentation in program data management system, to include, but not limited to, job development activity, outreach efforts, job placement information, periodic assessments, goal tracking, and related case management, if applicable

Assist individuals with transportation as required, including travel training and/or the use of personal vehicle. Provide assistance, as needed, with arrangements for personal care, childcare, etc. 

Facilitate discharge planning and follow-up regarding transfers of individuals to other programs both within and external to the agency.

Perform other related essential duties as required or directed.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university plus three to five years related experience and/or training, including knowledge of the criminal justice system; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read and interpret documents such as files of individuals receiving services, evaluation reports, job descriptions, personnel procedures and safety rules. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate with others.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form. Ability to 

Assist individuals with appropriate social behavior to facilitate integration and inclusion. Ability to act as an advocate for program participants.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Connecticut driver's license. Job responsibilities will require use of personal vehicle. Current registration and automobile insurance must be maintained. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the criminal justice system, probation, parole and the unique barriers that ex-offenders face.

Ability to obtain approved Behavior Management, CPR and First Aid certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, climb or balance. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work near moving mechanical parts. The employee may work in outside weather conditions. The employee may be occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, cold, and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Equal Opportunity Employer