Job Description and Requirements

Supported Employment Specialist

 FUNCTION:

The incumbent occupying this position will be responsible for assisting individual consumers to obtain gainful employment and be successful in maintain employment.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Assessment of individual work sites in relation to skills needed to perform specific jobs.
• Become familiar with the partnerships and employers, that Avenues has developed relationships with, in order to understand the individual sites and employee requirements.
• Support consumers in job sampling experiences at a number of different work sites to help them gain knowledge of employment in the community. 
• Using information gathered through the job sampling experiences; provide job development for assigned consumers.
• Educate perspective and current employers about the services offered by Avenues to Independent Living.
• Provide job coaching and training at a work site in accordance with the service design and plan developed by Avenues for consumers assigned to them.
• Provide public transportation training to assigned consumers as part of their job training services – Access Link or NJ Transit.
• Attend all scheduled meetings and training sessions.
• Complete and turn in all work site paperwork (contact sheets) monthly to the Director.
• Complete and turn in time sheets to the Director bi-weekly.
• Complete and turn in weekly reports to the Director.
• Maintain a professional atmosphere at the work site by placing emphasis on team work and mutual respect between consumer and others at the job site.  Assume responsibility for maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for the consumer.
• Make observations; keep records and report /director on all as it impacts the consumer.
• Handle consumer problems/complaints, parent or guardian problems/complaints, in conjunction with the program manager and director.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Director or Board of directors

 RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Supervise the job sites and all assigned consumers to ensure that the placement adheres to all State and Government regulations and the training program for each consumer follows the policies, rules and regulations of Avenues to Independent Living.  Report consumer progress and any procedural or work place problems to Director on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Coordination of staff interviewing and promotion/ hiring for the Employment Department.  Coordination of staff training in conjunction with the Executive Director and Director of Human Resources, and on-site trainings of employment specialist staff.   
• Assign job sites and/ or consumer cases to all employment specialist staff.  
• Handle all problems or complaints related to job coaching from personnel, consumers & families and/ or job sites.
• Ensure that all staff adheres to the state and government regulations and the policies, rules and regulations of the agency.  Oversee and evaluate the performance of all employment specialists. Address personnel issues as necessary in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Director of Human Resources.
• Apply for all potential funding and vendorship opportunities through the state of NJ or Federal agency and maintain documentation as required by each funding source.

 SKILLS:

Oral Communication Skills                                                       Written Communication Skills

Interpersonal Communication Skills                                        Diplomacy

Math Aptitude                                                                          Organizational Skills

Planning Skills                                                                         Professionalism

Reading Skills                                                                          Time Management

Computer Literacy                                                                    Behavior Management Skills

EDUCATION/TRAINING:  Bachelor’s Degree in the Health or Human Services fields from an accredited college or university and at least one year of related experience or combination of education and experience.   All Supported Employment Specialists will complete levels I and II of the Employment Specialist Training offered through the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities.

 EXPERIENCE: A minimum of one year experience working with or caring for individuals with disabilities is required.

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES: 

 Certification of Job Coach Training

• Valid Driver’s License.  Staff who hold this position will cooperate with the agency and Division of Developmental Disabilities staff in any inspections or investigations.

 Position Report to:     Director of Supported Employment.