Program and Roles Summary:Located at 6033 S. Wentworth Ave, Chicago IL 60621, The Employment Specialist aids in helping people with Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities in obtaining and retaining jobs in the community. The Employment Specialist conducts effective communication with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and makes sure that case management is up to date with Department of Rehabilitation Services standards to ensure auditing is met to their standards. Hybrid after 60-days performance evaluation. Reporting Relationships: N/AReports to:Supportive Employment CoordinatorSupervises (Position Titles):NonePrincipal Duties/Responsibilities:
- Conducts 8-week staffing with Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Utilizes the Discovery Profile and other applicable documents to learn about job seekers strengths, interests and support needs; meets with job seekers to get to know them and develop a rapport.
- Collaborates with the Employment Consultant-Job Developer to determine a customized plan for on- the job support.
- Interacts with supervisor of job seekers to ensure satisfactory job performance and identify any training needs.
- Provides job coaching support to job seekers as needed to ensure they are learning their job duties and completing them as required to maintain employment.
- Collaborates with the Employment Consultant-Job Development to develop an Employment Support and Retention Plan and provides services outlined in the plan to ensure each job seeker maintains employment.
- Collaborates with Community Day Services/Residential staff to identify consumers who may be interested in exploring community employment and assists with the discovery process.
- Provides training and support as outlined in Job Readiness Plan.
- Reports hours spent job coaching along with progress on services provided to each job seeker.
- Collects data to ensure that services provided are completed in a timely manner and are effective.
- Participates in professional training designed to upgrade job skills and facilitate program development.
- Ensures that services are provided as required by the DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Services Manual or the DDD Supported Employment Program
- Documentations of services provided to participant, completed monthly
- Report to Job Coaching site when needed
- Work Schedule may vary when Job coaching is needed, Flex Time
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in human services required.
- Certification in career guidance is a plus.
- Direct Support Professional Certified
- Knowledge of the Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP).
- Bilingual preferred.
- Must have and maintain a reliable automobile with liability insurance and an acceptable driving record.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions and standard accepted practices.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to effectively work with internal staff and external customers.
- Organizational and time management skills.
- Knowledge of working with individuals with disabilities.
- Computer skills (MS Office- Word and Excel)
Mental/Physical Demands: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to read and interpret documents such as instructional manuals, operating instructions, books, catalogues and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups or employees of organizations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.Environmental Conditions: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work is performed in an office or classroom environment.This description documents the general contents and requirements of the job.It is not to be construed as an exhausted statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.The principal duties and responsibilities shown are all essential job functions except for those indicated with an asterisk (*). The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.