DSP - Employment Specialist
: Job Details :

Job Summary: The Customized and Supported Employment Specialist II teaches job skills, assists individuals with developmental disabilities to obtain and maintain employment, and facilitates natural support for participants receiving supported employment. May manage other employees in the employment services department who are supporting individuals with vocational needs.Job Duties & Responsibilities:• Provide training and supervision to Customized and Supported Employment Specialist I and contracted GVRA staff as instructed by the Director of Employment Services.• Provide intake and assessment services to identify an individual's strengths, preferences, and requirements for job placement. Ability to use a person-centered approach in all aspects of the supported employment process. Assess the vocational, social, communication, and independent living skills of individuals served.• Formulates a job development plan that includes assisting with identifying career choices, employment goals, identification of barriers to successful employment, including but not limited to concerns about government benefits and transportation. Completes discovery for everyone going through Customized Employment.• Delivers an array of employment services, including initiating or improving participant job search skills, using an analytical job match to facilitate job placement, assist and/or facilitate obtaining employment, provide employer education, transportation arrangements, and delivering effective on-site and/or off-site intensive coaching following placement to ensure proper job match, retention, and employer/employee satisfaction. Ensures transportation arrangements are in place once employment has been obtained.• Assist the participant to develop job skills and responsibilities in such a way that fosters independence and teach participants inter-personal communication skills with co-workers and employers.• Markets and promotes Hi Hope employment program and the valuable aspects of participating to potential employers for the purpose of securing employment opportunities for individuals with various disabilities and functional levels.• Identify job site modifications as needed. Recommendations are to be discussed with the Director of Employment Services prior to submission to participant work site.• Provide holistic supports to ensure the participant is successful in their job placement, such as behavioral, medical, and mental health supports, access to adequate housing and food, and financial literacy training.• Comply with the policies and procedures of the Hi Hope Service Center and the participant's job sites.• Implements support plans for individuals with developmental disabilities and collect the data. Provides written documentation of supports provided to the participant within 24 hours of service delivery.• Participates in service planning including assessment of client's strengths and needs, assist client with objectives, and ISP meetings.• Ensure that the services provided are billable under GVRA and Medicaid standards. Completes documentation in a timely manner for billable services. Submits billing to GVRA in a timely manner and maintains an accurate record of services billed.• Ensures effective and appropriate coordination and communication with identified stakeholders, case managers, support coordinators, family, and Hi Hope Service Center staff to facilitate a cohesive support team.• Other duties as assigned.RequirementsJob Requirements:• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced computer skills in Excel and PowerPoint.• CPR/AED and First Aid certification, valid Georgia Driver's license; Transportation and Vehicle Emergency Evacuation training and De-escalation Techniques certification within 90-days of employment.• May require evening and weekend availability, depending upon the support needs and work schedules of people using services.Job Experience & Education:• Bachelor's Degree required in social work, special education, or related field.• 3-5 years' experience working with adults with developmental disabilities in supported work, customized employment, educational or therapeutic recreation environment preferred.• 3-5 years' experience providing supported employment assistance and placement and experience providing employment assistance.• ACRE Certification required.Additional Requirements: Must be 21 years old, able to pass a pre-employment physical and capable of lifting a minimum of 25 pounds. have a negative drug screening and a tuberculosis (TB) screening or X-Ray; and, have an acceptable motor vehicle record with no more than two moving violations in a three-year period within the last five years, vehicle liability insurance and an acceptable criminal record check. Must have reliable transportation.COMPETENCIES:• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.• Safety Awareness - Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee and consumer safety.• Tolerance - Ability to work comfortably and respectfully within a diverse workforce without making judgments.• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.• Conflict Resolution - Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships. Must work collaboratively with other Hi-Hope programs in carrying out daily activities. Works collegially with all Hi-Hope Service Center staff and volunteers. Positive and energetic with a genuine care for others. Create and leverage relationships within the community to increase employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.• Problem Solving - Innovative to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.• Organized - Must be able to coordinate appointments and paperwork, and able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentPHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed indoors in an office setting sitting in front of a computer 80% of the time. Must be able to lift to 25 lbs., push and pull up to 25 lbs., lift, stand and carry consistently, have proper hearing, vision, and speech capabilities.