Employment Specialist

Job Summary

The Employment Specialist position is for someone who enjoys networking and working with individuals with disabilities, helping them have a positive experience working at various businesses in the community. Our Employment Specialist supports individuals with disabilities in a variety of employment settings.  This support helps the individual gain independence in completing work tasks and acclimating to their work environment. This position works closely with NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to achieve successful integrated employment for persons with disabilities.

Primary Duties:

• Finding employment for individuals with disabilities and provides employment training and support in various employment settings throughout the community.
• Utilizing job coaching strategies to instruct clients on proper work habits and helping clients develop work skills that will produce high levels of quality and efficiency.

• Manage an active caseload of 20-25 individuals by completing each milestone for intake, job development/placement, completion of training goals, stabilization, & successful closure in compliance with DHHS: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and CARF National Accreditation standards.
• Maintain familiarity with requirements/compliance with Medicaid, CARF, HIPAA, and VR audits 
• Communicate effectively with agency's service team, clients' co-workers, and family members as it relates to the client’s being trained.
• eeks appropriate employment consistent with the client’s interests and skills to work with local business and industry to meet their employment needs.
• Provide individual training and support to the clients at their worksite.
• Support client in building natural supports, identifying reasonable accommodations, and assistive technology.
• Carry out steps of employment plan with client’s and other parties as appropriate. 
• Practice positive feedback techniques with client’s, colleagues, and other staff 

Additional Duties:

• Travel to job sites to provide support for clients
  
• Understand & utilize EHR system as required.
• Complete accurate & timely manner case notes for weekly billing
• Train clients to the required standard in the areas of personal hygiene, communication, interviewing, and self-management as they relate to successful employment.

Qualification, Education & Experience 

• Qualified Professional or Associate Professional within the MH/DD/SAS
• Bachelor’s degree in the Human Services field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience and/or training working with individuals with disabilities required.
• Valid North Carolina driver license, per state law, and/or access to reliable transportation to perform work-related travel required. Eligible drivers must have a good motor vehicle record (MVR).
• Must have reliable transportation to perform job duties

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Create and maintain positive relationships with clients, employers, and family members.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to learn specific programs and software.   
• Ability to pass a criminal background check, drug testing, & healthcare registry check.    
• Excellent oral/verbal communication skills.  
• A well-organized & self-directed individual who is a team player.

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance & stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. stand and walk.   

Service Areas:

Employee will work in the following areas in Central NC: Robeson County, Moore County, Richmond County, Anson County, Samson County, Scotland County, & Bladen County