Employment Specialist I

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Employment Specialist I provide career planning, job readiness training, service coordination, employment opportunity development, program admissions, and assessments, which promote a vocational and employment-oriented philosophy for individuals with disabilities seeking community-based services and employment. Empowering individuals to reach their career goals by developing technical and soft skills and accessing community-based resources and work opportunities is the primary role of this position. The Employment Specialist I support the mission, vision, and values of the organization, upholds and enforces the guidelines and policies of the organization, demonstrates Lanakila Pacific’s values of teamwork, excellence, achievement, and motivation in all personal interactions with others, and exemplifies Lanakila Pacific’s STAR service standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Position Specific Duties

Work Skills Instruction and Coaching

• Coach the development of communication and interpersonal skills, community mobility, and vocational adjustment to general workplace expectations in individual and group settings.
• Conduct telehealth classes in various online videoconferencing platforms, such as Zoom, Google Meets, and Webex.
• Provide ongoing support to participants and their employers, including identifying problem areas and providing recommendations.
• Perform coaching on-the-job as needed.

Employment and Resource Navigation

• Develop employment plans that fit the individual’s aptitudes, education level, physical abilities, interests, priorities, and career goals.
• Provide education and support in exploring and accessing community services, assistive technology, and equipment, financial, health, wellness, and academic resources.
• Coordinate with external resources to support the participant’s access and progression with additional services aligned with their employment and personal goals.

Employer Outreach

• Assist participants in obtaining competitive employment by identifying opportunities that match their employment goals and engaging employers.

Administration

• Communicate effectively with all clients and their support systems, Lanakila Pacific programs/departments, and staff, both orally and in writing. Read and understand written material and write effectively to meet the job requirements.
• Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence to ensure that goals and objectives are met.

Mentoring

• Provides ongoing mentorship to job coaches as needed or required.

Other Duties:

• Demonstrates cultural competency and the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and cognitive abilities without bias.
• Serves as a role model for the staff, participants, and volunteers and as a member of the leadership team works to create a healthful and respectful environment.
• Ensures all safety procedures and practices are followed and enforced, and that safeguards and proper safety gear, such as gloves, are used when appropriate.
• Demonstrates the ability to work with confidential information and comply with established policies, procedures, and practices.
• Demonstrates a willingness to gain and possess thorough knowledge of Lanakila Pacific’s programs and seeks ongoing educational opportunities related to the position.
• Performs other reasonably related business duties as assigned.
• Completes training as mandated by organizational policy.

WORKING CONDITIONS/HOURS:

• Scheduled to work 5 days a week. Monday to Friday, 7:30 am-4:30 pm. 8-hour shift may vary. May be required to work outside of normal business hours including weekends and holidays to meet operational needs and contract requirements.
• Indoor, office setting, outdoors; may need to do deliveries, travel to other program sites, meeting sites, etc., as required.

EQUIPMENT USE:

• Basic level proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Database, or comparable programs or other comparable programs
• Other standard office equipment such as computer, laptop, copy machine, printer, fax machine, projector, etc.

• Company vehicle.

MENTAL DEMANDS :

• Ability to plan and organize tasks and possess sufficient flexibility to respond to changing situations; requires ability to continuously repeat instructions and remain calm.
• Use considerable initiative and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to multi-task and work under minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people and at times under difficult situations.
• Ability to maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.
• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  Required:

  • Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, human services, or human resources from an accredited college or university and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment OR

   

  • Bachelor’s degree in another field from an accredited college or university and two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment OR
  • Associate’s degree and three years of progressively responsible experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment OR
  • High School Diploma and four years of progressively responsible experience working with individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment.
  • Clearance/Certification: Must maintain the following clearances/certification: 1) annual TB clearance, 2) current First Aid and CPR Certification (Obtain on the job), 3) Criminal Background check, 4) Pre-employment drug testing, 5) Child Protective Service check/Adult Protective Service check, 6) Fieldprint Fingerprinting, 7) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE)
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving abstract with access to an insured vehicle.

   

  Preferred:

  • Experience:  Supervisory or management, certified training related to community rehabilitation, employment support professional, or work incentives benefits counseling.