Employment Counselor jobs in Montpelier, VT

Division: Community Developmental Services (CDS)
Position: Employment Counselor
Directly Responsible to: Coordinator

Summary of Employment Counselor:
Provide supported employment and modified case management services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Utilizing the models of person-centered planning and self-determination the Employment Representative performs a broad range of activities designed to assist individuals in accessing, engaging, achieving, and maintaining successful career and competitive employment.

Qualifications:
Preference given to individuals with supported employment experience, and or experience in the business community. BA preferred, but a combination of education and experience will be considered. Candidates must have a clean driving record and access to a safe, insured vehicle. Some work outside of the normal work schedule will be required, evenings and weekends. Access to internet and phone service in the home is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiates and maintains ongoing contacts and relationships with a variety of business, industry, internship and training representatives to develop and promote competitive job access and placement for individuals.
• Work with individuals to obtain employment through interest and skill assessment, career exploration, job carving, and job matching.
• Effectively utilize job search and placement methods, tools, and resources to assist individuals with their employment goals and outcomes. (Progressive employment, volunteer opportunities, and work/internship experience trainings).
• Assist in development of job seeker resumes, interviewing and job seeking skills.
• Provide follow along services such as evaluation for adaptive accommodations, employer check ins, benefits counseling, unemployment access, social security payroll reporting.
• Develop the employment plan in coordination with ISA implementation.
• Provide supervision to consumers who are agency employees.
• Provide initial job placement training for the individual and employer.
• Provide full case management services to individuals not assigned a case manager including financial, living, health, crisis, guardianship, etc.
• Collect data and provide required paperwork for medical records billing system, as well as other administrative duties needed to meet state and agency requirements.
• Day to day training and supervision responsibilities for employment specialists.
• Collect and track job placement data; compile data and prepare reports and correspondence regarding job development, placement, and job maintenance efforts.
• Coordinate weekly staff and program scheduling in coordination with employment rep and coordinator.
• Coordination of employment services in conjunction with case managers, individual teams, other service providers, employment sites and other community and agency partners.
• Maintain currency with industry trends; updates labor market information by researching online resources, attending meetings, and maintaining contacts with regional employment support networks.
• Participate in ISA team, CWS, VR, School, and State employment meetings.
• Design and implement diverse coaching approaches training for CDS staff whose responsibilities include vocational support.
• Research and incorporate job development best practices to integrate into the program.
• Assist in developing brochures, flyers, power points and other methods of marketing and instruction materials for the program.
• Direct service coverage of employment sites as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by program coordinator to support the programs activities and success.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Creativity and excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Team player
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to elicit trust and listen effectively.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of job seekers and staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to understand personnel policies, e.g. workplace harassment, conflicts of interest.
• Knowledge of issues confronting the employment of people with disabilities and other diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Open, direct, honest, and clear communication style with ability to exercise discretion and tact.
• Flexibility with openness to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variations in work environments.
• Take initiative and work autonomously.
• Ability to deal with conflict.
• Proponent of continuous improvement and strategic thinking.
• Values include holistic orientation, excellent customer service, strengths-based outlook and results oriented.
• Ability to accept and deliver constructive feedback.
• Availability and flexibility to work based on consumer and program needs and schedules.
• Excellent oral and written communication needed.
• Supervisory skills are advantageous.

• Competitive salary and opportunities for additional hours, if desired.
• Generous medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance – WCMHS covers 82.5 – 92% of premium costs.
• Matching 403(b) – match begins at 4.25% and increases based on years of service.
• Employee assistance plan.
• Generous sick and vacation accruals. Full- and part-time regular positions receive 12 days’ vacation and 12 days sick time annually - prorated based on standard hours.
• 12.5 paid holidays annually.
• Mileage reimbursement for agency related travel.
• Fun and engaging environment and the ability to give back to the local community.

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