Clay County, FL

Employment Specialist

Full time: $20-$25/Hour

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Challenge Enterprises of North Florida is a nonprofit organization that believes in the power of people and possibilities. Challenge Enterprises has proudly placed thousands in positions where they thrive, are happy, and make a difference. We open doors to employment that otherwise may have remained closed. Our strategic partnerships with local and national businesses, government agencies, and other private entities provide sustainable job opportunities.

Job Description: The Supported Employment Program provides opportunities and assistance for people with disabilities to find and retain employment. This position assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining, maintaining and advancing in community paid employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. Duties include getting to know people and their interests, assisting with resumes and job applications, approaching perspective employers to hire individuals, support during interviews, assistance during hiring and on the job training. This position also maintains excellent communication with the participant, the referring agency, family, guardian, and other involved parties. This position must secure job performance feedback from employer and make appropriate adjustments to individual's employment plan to enhance job performance.

Responsibilities and duties of this position include but not limited to the following:

• 
  Promotes the mission of the agency "The Power of People and Possibilities for individuals living with disabilities."
• Follow all Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc.'s policies and procedures as set forth in the Board of Directors approved Personnel handbook.
• Participate in Challenge Enterprise orientation.
• Provides individual counseling and on-going support to participants, employers, and advocates assisting and resolving employment related issues.
• Demonstrates adaptive techniques to employers which will be beneficial in maintaining employment for participants.
• Works closely with employers and participants to ensure continued successful performance by each individual, including counseling and job coaching
• Establishes and maintains relationships with employers regarding problems, complaints, and progress of participants and recommends and implements corrective actions.
• Identifies need for and assists in development of auxiliary services to assist participants in obtaining and maintaining employment.
• Provides training to employed participants related to goals identified in their personalized Support Plan and or Individual Plan of Employment.
• Completes all required documentation to satisfy and maintain state compliance standards.
• Completes and submits all required documentation for billing using approved electronic system.
• Participates in monthly screening and referral meeting for Supported Employment candidates.
• Must attend mandatory training and staff meetings as assigned.
• Responsible for entering payroll data into electronic timekeeping system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Duties and responsibilities may change, as agency needs change. Additional tasks will be delegated as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Meet State requirements for background check.
• Current 3-year clean driving record
• Creativity and flexibility
• Excellent basic math and writing skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills in English
• CPR, and First Aid certified preferred.

• Must be a State of Florida certified Employment Specialist or eligible to obtain certification (within 30 days of hire)

EDUCATION/TRAINING: Must meet one of the following:

• Four years' experience or employment in a public vocational rehabilitation program; experience in job placement, job coaching, or counseling; or other related experience working with persons with disabilities. OR
• A Bachelor's Degree in a related field such as rehabilitation, counseling, social work, psychology, education, human resources, business administration, or economics, from an accredited college or university and one year's experience as described above. OR
• A Master's Degree in a related field such as rehabilitation, counseling, social work, psychology, education, human resources, business administration or economics, from an accredited college or university and six month's experience as described above. OR
• An associate degree from an accredited college or university, or a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in an unrelated field, and two years' experience as described above.

Training Requirements:

Must have completed all pre-service training prior to assigned job responsibilities and eight hours of annual in-service training.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Must be able to communicate well both verbally and in writing in English.
• Must be patient and positive when communicating with individuals in the program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physically able to climb stairs, stoop, push, pull, bend or stand for long periods of time. Lifting no more than 25lbs. And assisting persons getting out of adaptive equipment (wheelchair) to transfer.