Employment Consultant

Position Summary

As an employment consultant, you will assist assigned consumers in securing and maintaining employment that matches their needs, preferences, abilities and interests, develop and maintain positive relationships with businesses to identify job opportunities for persons served, provide individualized assessment, job development, on-the-job training and long-term support to individuals, as needed and required, through the use of behavior skill and social skills training techniques, provide training, advocacy and support to individuals in ancillary areas such as transportation, and accessing community services, and educate, advocate and build natural supports with co-workers, supervisors, and family members to facilitate long-term job retention.

Essential Functions

• Develop a Discovery Profile for Employment Services for each assigned consumer, utilizing specific Discovery services as appropriate and requested by the VR Counselor.
• Coordinate job development activities of assigned consumers including resume preparation; identification of job opportunities; completion and submission of applications; coordination and assistance with interviews; and advocacy with potential employers as requested and necessary.
• Conduct on-site job analysis, as appropriate and requested.
• Provide necessary and appropriate on-the-job training with each assigned consumer.
• Provide consumer specific disability and awareness training as appropriate and requested at consumers’ job sites.
• Provide on-site job training, advocacy and development of natural supports, as appropriate and requested.
• Provide post-employment supports and advocacy as necessary and requested by consumers and employers to facilitate success for a minimum of 90 days.
• Provide Extended Services (ES) as required for all Supported Employment consumers on an on-going basis, per internal policy and external regulations.
• Completion and submission of all required documentation and billing for each assigned consumer in their electronic case record in accordance with department guidelines.
• Maintain a current authorization status for each assigned consumer.
• Maintain regular, on-going communication with referral and funding sources for all assigned consumers.
• Meet regularly with each assigned consumer during job search. Frequency of meetings can vary based on each consumers’ specific choice and need but should not be less often than monthly.
• Attend all required staff and agency meetings, in-services and staff training.
• Successfully complete all required training.

Education, Experience, Licenses, Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Business or related field preferred.
• Experience working as employment consultant or similar position may be substituted for degree.
• Prior experience working with individuals with disabilities highly preferred.
• A current, valid Indiana Driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

Communication Skills

The employee consultant position requires the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including consumers, family members, referral agencies and business representatives. This includes the ability to tailor communication to each specific audience, using appropriate styles and approaches, and an understanding of the importance of non-verbal cues in communication. Good communication requires the background skills of presenting, audience awareness, critical listening and body language.

Excellent written communication with the ability to write effectively in a clear and concise manner is required. Written communication will be used to develop and complete all consumer required documentation as well as to relay and receive messages via email from consumers, referral sources, businesses representatives, and ESC personnel.

Knowedge, Skill, Ability

• Knowledge of the ADA accommodation interactive process, disability and funding systems including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities and Indiana Medicaid Waiver is required.
• Organization/Productivity – ability to effectively organize assignments and complete in a timely manner; and to meet minimum productivity goals.
• Initiative – ability to complete tasks despite adversity; seek out alternative methods when necessary; independently complete required tasks without prompting; take on additional responsibility as needed.
• Ability to function as a member of a team demonstrating cooperation and respect to all team members and customers.
• Independence – demonstrates the ability to self manage and direct work with minimal supervision.
• Judgment – ability to analyze problems including weighing out pertinent factors and arrive at a decision that is realistic and practical with minimal or no assistance. Knows when to seek out input and/or authority to act.
• Professionalism – including appearance, written and oral communication, and interaction with others.
• Teaching and training job search skills and specific job skills.
• Computer proficiency required including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Work Conditions

Work is performed inside and outside due to frequent local travel. Job coaching may require working outside or in extreme work environments that may including high or low temperatures, humidity and loud noises.

Hours

37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday; must be flexible and willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays if necessary to meet the needs of assigned consumers.

Benefits