NOW HIRING: Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist focuses on developing an individualized approach to assessing participants’ needs to gain employment. The employment specialist translates those needs into mission opportunities including paid work experiences, unpaid work experiences, and job shadowing opportunities for individuals served. 

This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Responsibilities

• Researches and maintains current job listings and develops resources for individuals served to identify current job openings related to their identified career goal.
• Conducts one-on-one coaching sessions and promotes workshops to enhance job-related skills such as networking, professional etiquette, and communication.
• Works closely with individuals seeking employment, providing guidance and support in resume writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
• Creates and distributes informational resources, guides, and online content to support job seekers in their career development journey.
• Works with individuals served and employers to identify solutions to employment barriers, such as transportation, workplace accommodations, language supports, etc.
• Utilizes universal design for learning training techniques such as verbal prompting, visual prompting, forward chaining, etc. Adapts training techniques based upon participants’ strengths and needs.
• Accompanies participants to employment sites and assists with communicating with prospective employers, completing applications, scheduling interviews, and provides support through the interview process as needed.
• Encourages program participants to increase independent work skills by teaching job tasks, interpersonal skills, stress management, communication skills, and other job-related activities.
• Keeps accurate records by completing and maintaining required documentation including case notes, monthly summaries and reports, intake forms, activity logs, mileage reports, and discharge summaries.
• Maintains knowledge and skills by attending professional development meetings, seminars, trainings, and workshops.
• Maintains confidentiality of individual case records and other sensitive subject matter.
• Works assigned schedule, exhibiting regular and predictable attendance. 
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Manages change in a well-planned manner consistent with Ken Anderson Alliance culture and capability to respond to change.
• Possesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Communicates effectively with individuals and/or groups in both private and public environments.
• Demonstrates flexibility when seeking solutions.
• Demonstrates appropriate culture in alignment with the Ken Anderson Alliance mission, vision, philosophy, values and standards.
• Values cultural diversity and best recognizes and utilizes individual abilities, skills, and characteristics when collaborating with others to complete work tasks.
• Employs active listening skills and effective time management skills.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication skills to foster positive working relationships with others.
• Seeks agreement between internal and external stakeholders to meet the interests of all parties.
• Promotes effective business and public relations for the agency by representing Ken Anderson Alliance on request.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Good physical and mental health.
• Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.
• Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in the field of developmental disabilities; Or Relevant experience on a year-for-year basis, or credentialing that substitutes for the educational requirement
• A passion for and commitment to the mission and values of the organization; experience working with adults with disabilities and/or disability service organizations a plus. Experience in group settings is also a plus.
• Willingness to work flexible hours
• Comfortable working in a small team atmosphere

Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume to emily@kenandersonalliance.org.

Ken Anderson Alliance is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity within our team. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.