Employment Specialist

Activities include but are not limited to the following:

• Screening and assessment completion of intake/screening; complete discovery phase; vocational goal planning. Each plan must be developed based upon the unique needs and circumstances of each individual and reviewed/updated every 6 months. For OPWDD participants, the plans must be written in the format of the Life Plan and require attendance and participation at Life Plan meetings.
• Provide soft and hard skill training and assessment via Employment Center, classroom and/or community-based experiences.
• Job development/placement: Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with local businesses to build a strong base of potential employers.
• Develop and maintain effective communication with program participants, families, referents, and treatment team providers. Provide job placement services such as career counseling, assistance with applications, interview skill building and presentation of work incentives.
• Job coaching: Skill training, training in soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving skills, work ethic, grooming/hygiene, response to supervision, etc. Coaching services are usually at the worksite, occasionally provided off-site.
• Retention/follow-along services: Provide ongoing advocacy and support to ensure long-term job retention and to facilitate career growth.
• Provide accurate, detailed, and timely documentation of support.
• Ensure compliance with all pertinent government and agency regulations and operating standards.
• Responsible for completing periodic peer reviews of program participant records.
• Participate in Kelberman activities that may include meetings, trainings, and committees.
• Ensure compliance with all pertinent government and agency regulations and operating standards.
• Establish a work environment that creates positive communication and support between supervisors and employees and applicants.
• Assimilate new employees to Kelberman’s culture, values, and mission.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

• Must be able to maintain focus in a very busy work environment and have a strong attention to detail.
• Must be able to manage time independently, adhering to all deadlines including unexpected demands for information and/or additional assignments which may include varied shifts, holidays, and weekends.
• Must have professionalism in all decision making.
• Use of good judgment based on regulatory and quality standards is required.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Regularly attend scheduled shifts and meetings, being punctual.
• Exercise tact, discretion, and judgment in working with a variety of people.
• Legible handwriting.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances are warranted.
• Must be able to manage and cope in sometimes stressful situations.
   

• Associate’s Degree in related field preferred.  A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field preferred.
• At least three (2) years’ experience in employment services and/or sales or customer service. 
• Travel is required.  Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances are warranted.
• Intermediate computer skills (Including all Windows program, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Internet Browser, Access, Word, and Excel).  
• This position has regular and substantial unsupervised or unrestricted physical contact with individuals receiving services and is required by law to be fingerprinted for a criminal history record check under OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) and OMH (Office of Mental Health).
   

• Minimal risk of contact with bodily fluids, communicable diseases, or chemicals used in cleaning.  May have exposure to unpredictable individuals and situations when working at the sites.   
• Job related tasks do not involve exposure or potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissue and Category I tasks are not a condition of employment.  May have exposure to unpredictable individuals and situations when working at Kelberman. OSHA Exposure Category III
   

• Must have fluency in the English language.  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. Must be able remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time. 
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine, scanner, computer printer, etc.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 25 pounds. Climb and descend stairs.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising work-flow and efficiency. 
   

Compensation:  $19.00 to $21.00 per hour