Community Employment and Training Specialist

SUMMARY

Responsible for conducting orientation for new participants, conducting initial assessments to identify barriers to employment, and assisting participants in developing and completing the goals in their individual plans leading to the goal of competitive employment. Facilitate the acquisition of competitive employment for clients Major duties include providing vocational training and counseling, monitoring client progress and attendance, effective communication with referral sources, assessing applicants to determine vocational strengths, identifying barriers to employment, providing vocational counseling and employability skills training, conduct targeted job development, and provide consultation with employers who hire Goodwill clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

1. Maintain ongoing productive relationships with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and other referral providers to market the Community Employment and Training programs to ensure a steady stream of appropriate referrals to the program.
2. Work with clients in all Vocational Services programs and with retail employees upon request; provide vocational counseling, supervision, and coordination as requested.
3. Conduct an initial assessment of each new client to identify vocational strengths and barriers to employment, assess employability skills, and develop an achievable vocational goal.
4. Monitor the attendance of program participants and record all absences.
5. Provide orientation and training for the assigned job; review safety topics with all participants on a monthly basis.
6. Ensure that participants’ progress through their programs effectively in the time period allotted; monitor participant progress throughout the program, providing coaching and vocational counseling to encourage improvement in performance and conduct mock job interviews with participants in preparation for jobs.
7. Develop and implement individualized training plans for clients that contain a vocational goal and measurable, time-limited goals and responsibilities.
8. If successful completion of program goals is not attained, refer participants to alternative programs and/or facilities after consulting with a referral source.
9. Prepare accurate weekly and monthly reports of participant progress based on observation and consultation with the worksite supervisor and Vocational Trainer and send them to referral source in a timely manner.
10. Provide short-term job coaching including counseling on job retention skills to assist newly-employed clients in becoming acclimated to their jobs.
11. Provide post-placement follow-along for a minimum of 90 days to ensure that the new employee has become acclimated to the job; provide intervention, including, but not limited to short-term job coaching to individuals in need of more intensive post-placement assistance to become stable in their jobs.
12. Promote an environment of cooperation and support where creativity and innovation are encouraged for participants, employees, co-workers, partners, and other stakeholders and customers.
13. Prepare reports in a timely and accurate manner.
14. Demonstrate consistently professional demeanor in speech, actions and appearance, serving as a role model for participants, staff and co-workers and community partners.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

1. Conduct time studies and performance measurements within established time frames, submitting completed paperwork in a timely manner.
2. Assist in gathering data for completion of quarterly Outcome Measurement.
3. Maintain updated client information in the department’s Client Information System.
4. Maintain a working knowledge of CARF requirements and standards regarding client case records and programs.
5. Prepares vendor billings in a timely manner.
6. Serve as a member of the local interagency committee.
7. Assign and monitor clients’ goals for maximum training benefit.
8. Assist the Goodwill Community Employment and Training Programs.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES

The list below is representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability utilized while performing this job.

1. Ability to adhere to the organization’s Core Principles.
2. Strong interpersonal skills and effective judgment.
3. Ability to implement a variety of training techniques.
4. Knowledge of methods and techniques used in vocational counseling.
5. Knowledge of workplace practices, including performance measurement techniques to establish pay rates.
6. Knowledge of public assistance programs and community resources.
7. Ability to manage stress related to working with challenging behaviors, meeting tight time targets, and managing caseload responsibilities.
8. Knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation process and the role of work in that process.
9. Ability to pass Florida Level II background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or a related field is required. A minimum of two (2) years related social service experience, as well as employment experience with persons of special populations.  

Math Ability:

Level 2: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have intermediate knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Beginner knowledge of databases.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Purchasing Authority:

No Purchasing Authority

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

(e.g. physical or environmental requirements, irregular work schedule, required license or certification, background check)

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

1. Regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
2. Vision abilities required by this job include: close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
3. Sitting and standing for long periods of time.
4. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate (examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic). Ability to hear normal sounds.
5. Ability and the means to travel independently from site to site.
6. Ability to speak in a manner that can be understood.

Language Ability:

Level 3: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups.

Reasoning Ability:

Level 3: 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.

License and Certifications:

Valid Florida Driver’s License with an insurable driving record and current private auto insurance policy.