Job Description

Hope Haven is an accredited resource for disability services and advocacy. We offer service programs and support to meet a broad range of needs for children, adults, and families \xe2\x80\x93 from physical, mental, and intellectual to residential, vocational, and spiritual.

The Employment Specialist carries out the services of the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) Supported Employment program by assisting clients who experience mental health barriers to obtain and maintain competitive employment in business and industry that is consistent with their vocational goals. The successful Employment Specialist candidate will be a person who believes all people can work, is a self-starter who takes initiative, enjoys contact with a wide array of businesses, and enjoys the challenge of being a part of a new program start-up. Position is full time and schedule varies.

Benefits: (contingent on hours scheduled and eligibility requirements)

• Health Insurance coverage by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Free $15,000 Term Life Insurance Policy
• 403B Retirement Plan with 8% employer match after one year
• Flex Spending \xe2\x80\x93 put aside pretax dollars used for medical & dependent care reimbursement.
• Supplemental Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Voluntary Life.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Temporary Medical Leave (TML)
• Holidays based on status of employment
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)
• Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF Program)
• BVU Partnership Educational Benefits
• Pay on Demand with Dayforce Wallet

Qualifications:
1. Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree preferably in human services, sociology, psychology, education, human resources, marketing, sales or business, or commensurate experience.
2. Must hold nationally recognized certification (ACRE or College of Employment Services (CES) or similar) as an employment specialist or must earn this credential within 24 months of hire.
3. Shall complete 4 hours of continuing education in employment services annually.
4. Employment Specialist Training certification; if not certified, obtains certification within one year of hire.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Strong interpersonal/counseling skills to work with clients individually and in groups.
7. Skills in computer use and word processing.
8. Possess Class \xe2\x80\x9cD\xe2\x80\x9d chauffeur\xe2\x80\x99s license with endorsement 3
9. Up to date physical.
10. Clearance from all applicable background checks as required by service standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Serve as Team Facilitator for clients served.
2. Accountable for the development and implementation of the employment component of the Individual Service Plan using a person-centered planning process that is based in \xe2\x80\x9cEmployment First\xe2\x80\x9d principles.
3. Assume leadership responsibilities for day-to-day employment service delivery to support persons with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining integrated competitive employment.
4. Ensure positive customer relations and education activities through interactions and speaking engagements about and promoting My Choice Employment and \xe2\x80\x9cEmployment First\xe2\x80\x9d to prospective clients and family members, referral sources/case managers, funders, employers, school/education personnel, civic groups, business groups/organizations, and others.
5. Provide direct support that is based in \xe2\x80\x9cEmployment First\xe2\x80\x9d principles to clients and employment staff. This support will be direct involvement in community employment settings, teaching individual or group activities that focus on preparing individual for paid employment and assisting in developing natural supports.
6. Develops and maintains regular contacts with employers in the community that produce employment opportunities for clients. Ensures employers are satisfied with services.
7. Review service objective plans on a monthly basis. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of services provided that clearly and legibly reflects the client\xe2\x80\x99s goals, staff intervention and support, client response and progress made.
8. Arrange and manage client\xe2\x80\x99s employment services funding and assure documentation of services are accurate and support attendance records and billing data.
9. Accountable for supporting clients in applying for and maintaining benefits for which they are eligible (i.e. Social Security Disability, Title XIX, SSI).

Physical Requirements:
1. Ability to use and operate office equipment such as telephone, computer keyboard, etc.
2. Ability to drive.
3. Requires physical mobility to walk, stoop, stand, sit, and climb steps.
4. Requires physical strength to assist individuals in transferring, lifting, positioning, carrying boxes of product, etc.

If this all sounds like a good fit, you are here for a reason. Apply today. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and scheduling. And you\xe2\x80\x99ll be able to put your gifts to good use, which comes with its own amazing rewards.