Employment Specialist

Description

General Statement of Function

Supporting the Mission, Vision and Values of the Opportunity Foundation by Empowering People of Diverse Abilities; Envisioning All People Living, Learning and Working Together; Valuing Dignity, Equality, Integrity, Inclusion, Choice, Excellence and Empowerment.

The Employment Specialist, under the direction of the Business Services Manager, in addition to being responsible for providing vocational support and supervision for adults with developmental disabilities, is the key provider of quality services to the individuals of Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon. They are responsible for ensuring individuals have the jobs that they love in the community and that their employers have the assistance they need to train and maintain quality performance from their employees. This position may assess skills and talents for individuals on their caseload, develops and implements service plans, develops leads and contacts at community businesses, and secures employment opportunities that are a match for both the individual and the employer. The Employment Specialist works at the job site with individuals to help train both the individual and the employer on effective communication techniques, accommodations, and developing natural supports in the workplace. Additionally, the Employment Specialist coordinates with residential supports, families and other support team members to ensure employment success. These supports are performed in various settings in keeping with Opportunity Foundation’s vision of all people living, learning and working together. The Employment Specialist is expected to continue to strive for excellence by developing skills and expertise that directly relate to this position. The Employment Specialist will be evaluated equally between their skills and conduct as they apply to the Mission, Vision and Values of the Organization.

Personal Qualities

The person in this position must have an interest and willingness to work in the field of developmental/intellectual disabilities, and be flexible to support individual choice by setting aside one’s values, and support the Values and Mission of the Organization. Must be willing to do routine or detailed tasks, work effectively and productively as a team member and a team leader. Must be patient, tolerant, tactful, alert, enthusiastic, motivated and have a positive “can do” attitude. The Employment Specialist must possess a high level of professionalism in appearance, actions and words. This person must possess excellent problem solving ability, providing proactive solutions to problems. The Employment Specialist must demonstrate excellent individual service, with excellent networking and negotiation skills. The Employment Specialist must possess an understanding of applied behavior supports for persons with disabilities. Effective oral and written communications skills are required. They must have the ability to maintain strict confidentiality. 

Essential Job Functions

· Reliable attendance is mandatory

· Must become familiar with each individual’s personal and employment goals

· Identify opportunities for career growth with the employer and their supported employee and  facilitate further training or coaching to assist both parties

· Must be able to motivate, direct, and exemplify outstanding verbal and written individual service skills

· Actively participate and build rapport with key co-workers and individuals at their place of employment as well as with community partners and their individuals to develop positive business relationships

· Demonstrate proactive problem-solving skills

· Participate in staff meetings, providing input to other team members and volunteers to share responsibilities that contribute to the success of the team

· Conduct and/or participate in individual review sessions with representatives of involved agencies and parent/advocates

· Develop and implement productive weekly schedules to assist assigned caseload in maintaining their employment or development employment opportunities

· Disseminate information about community-based employment to fellow providers, funders, employers, consumers and their advocates

· Provide information for potential employers regarding what is involved in employing people with disabilities including information about Opportunity Foundation and supported employment services

· Train the employer to support persons with disabilities at their worksite

· Establish natural supports for individuals in the workplace and implement a fade schedule that gradually reduces the need for job coaching/follow along services

· Communicate progress, successes, and challenges to guardians/care providers

· Record billable hours in workbook

· Conduct annual safety plans with individual and employer

· Facilitate person-centered planning process with individual and their circle of support as needed

· Assist employers to identify and mitigate or eliminate architectural, procedural and attitudinal barriers to employment of individual

· Provide training and support, as needed, to individual throughout the job development process

· Provide on-site job training and support to individual in their workplace regarding job duties, policies, and procedures in collaboration with the employer

· Coordinate and/or provide effective individualized on-site job training for individual

· Identify and address individual’s transportation needs

· Proactively enlist the support of supervisors and co-workers to maximally integrate the individual into the regular work routine of the business

· Follow through and provide necessary training and assistance to individuals to the degree necessary, according to each person’s Individual Support Plan and per physicians orders, to include, but not limited to:

° personal care needs, which may include toileting, bathing, changing, and/or providing food preparation and work/activity site cleaning;

° assisting individuals in and out of wheelchairs;

° assisting individuals with physical therapy;

° administering medications and/or other treatments

· Carry out additional responsibilities as identified and assigned by the Business Relations Manager

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook) preferred

Requirements

Education/Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related field is preferred
• Must be able to obtain Employment Outcomes Professional certificate
• Experience working with adults with disabilities or experience in employment rehabilitation, preferred
• May require a flexible work schedule (i.e. Saturday, Sunday or evenings)  
• Consistently maintaining confidentiality is a priority in this position
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to get along with others and recognize the need for diversity and flexibility
• Must pass the criminal background check by the Oregon Background Check Unit (BCU)
• Must possess a valid Oregon driver’s license (driving record acceptable to our insurance carrier) and proof of personal automobile insurance
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug screening
• Must be able to obtain CPR and First Aid certification
• Must complete 12 hours of job-related in-service training annually

Physical Demands

Talking: Routinely Hearing: Constantly

Sitting: Routinely Kneeling: Occasionally

Walking: Routinely Standing: Routinely

Seeing: Constantly Reaching: Routinely

Carrying: Up to 10 lbs. Routinely Bending/Stooping Routinely

Lifting: Up to 10 lbs.

           Up to 25 lbs.

           Up to 40 lbs. Routinely

Occasionally

Occasionally with help of another or device