Employment Specialist

Description

Responsibilities and Duties: Working under the supervision of the Employment Supervisor, the Employment Specialist coordinates and delivers employment services through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs), Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), and other employment-focused initiatives. The Employment Specialist supports individuals with disabilities through assessment, employment planning, discovery, customized employment, job development, employer engagement, workplace training, employment stabilization, and ongoing employment support services designed to promote competitive integrated employment and long-term career success.

The Employment Specialist is assigned a primary area of responsibility based upon organizational need, staff experience, certifications, and program requirements. Primary assignments may include MAPs, ECF, or DDA employment services, or a combination of employment programs. While Employment Specialists are expected to collaborate across employment initiatives and may provide support in multiple program areas when needed, not all Employment Specialists will be responsible for delivering all employment services.

The Employment Specialist serves as a subject matter expert in supported employment and customized employment practices and maintains working knowledge of VR, MAPs, ECF, and DDA employment services to ensure individuals receive coordinated, person-centered support throughout their employment journey. Employment Specialists also collaborate with Youth Employment Specialists, Youth Employment Coaches, schools, families, and referral sources to support transition-age youth and young adults as they move from school-based services into adult employment services and competitive integrated employment.

MillarRich is a trauma-informed organization that values empathy, open communication, and respectful collaboration. The Employment Specialist demonstrates a strong awareness of how trauma can impact individuals and communities and approaches their work with compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Specific duties may include:

1. Develops and maintains partnerships with local employers, businesses, workforce development organizations, and community partners to create competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities;
2. Conducts discovery activities, vocational assessments, situational assessments, and other person-centered planning processes to identify employment strengths, interests, support needs, and career goals; 
3. Assists individuals in identifying, pursuing, obtaining, and maintaining competitive integrated employment consistent with their preferences, interests, abilities, and long-term career goals; 
4. Provides individualized job development, customized employment, employer engagement, and placement services to support successful employment outcomes; 
5. Collaborates with individuals, family members, guardians, employers, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Support Coordinators, Innovation Coordinators, educators, and other stakeholders to support employment success and coordinated service delivery;
6. Provides workplace training, systematic instruction, task analysis, accommodation development, assistive technology recommendations, natural support development, and employment stabilization services as needed;   
7. Supports individuals in developing self-advocacy skills, workplace communication skills, transportation independence, financial literacy, problem-solving abilities, and other skills necessary for long-term employment success;  
8. Assists individuals in accessing community resources, transportation options, benefits counseling resources, postsecondary opportunities, and employment-related supports;
9. Provides consultation and support to employers regarding disability awareness, workplace accommodations, natural support development, retention strategies, and inclusive employment practices;
10. Maintains employment-related data, service records, assessments, employment plans, progress reports, outcome documentation, billing records, and other required documentation in accordance with organizational, funding source, and regulatory requirements;
11. Monitors employment outcomes and participant progress to ensure services are effectively supporting successful employment and career advancement; 
12. Collaborates with Youth Employment Coaches, Youth Employment Specialists, schools, families, and referral sources to support transition-age youth and young adults entering adult employment services through VR, MAPs, ECF, and DDA programs;
13. Provides guidance, mentoring, and technical assistance to Employment Coaches to support quality service delivery, employment outcomes, and professional development;
14. Collaborates with Employment Retention Specialists, employers, individuals served, and support teams to ensure successful transition from employment stabilization services into long-term employment retention and follow-along supports;
15. Assists individuals in identifying opportunities for increased independence, career advancement, wage growth, expanded job responsibilities, and long-term employment success; 
16. Participates in Employment Planning meetings, Person-Centered Support Planning meetings, Individual Support Plan meetings, transition planning meetings, and other support team meetings as necessary;
17. Maintains compliance with Vocational Rehabilitation, MAPs, ECF, DDA, and other applicable funding source requirements, including service definitions, documentation standards, timelines, and quality assurance expectations;
18. Reviews, edits, provides feedback regarding, and maintains documentation necessary to support service delivery, employment outcomes, billing requirements, and audit readiness; 
19. Participates in ongoing training and professional development activities to maintain competency in Supported Employment, Customized Employment, VR services, MAPs services, ECF services, DDA services, and other employment-related best practices;
20. Participates in department meetings, organizational initiatives, and quality improvement activities to support organizational goals and service excellence;
21. Promotes high satisfaction among persons served, family members, guardians, referral sources, employers, and community partners through proactive communication, responsiveness, and problem solving;
22. Maintains a professional appearance and presentation to effectively represent the agency within community and business settings. When working on employment sites, dresses appropriately for the environment and assigned responsibilities;
23. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as circumstances warrant.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

1. Bachelor’s degree with one (1) year of employment service experience OR associate’s degree/high school diploma with two (2) years of employment service experience required.
2. Must possess or obtain within three (3) months of employment either: 
3. Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) Basic Certification; OR 
4. Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) Certification.
5. Knowledge of CPI techniques and/or behavior analysis preferred.
6. Knowledge of benefits planning resources, transportation resources, assistive technology, workplace accommodations, and community support systems preferred.
7. Completion of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Orientation and all other required employment service training associated with assigned programs and funding sources within established timelines.
8. Knowledge of supported employment services and person-centered planning.
9. Knowledge of employment funding systems and services including Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs), Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), and other employment-related programs.
10. Ability to conduct vocational assessments, discovery activities, employment planning, job development, and employment support services.
11. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and effectively plan, organize, and follow through on multiple responsibilities while meeting established deadlines.
12. Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills.
13. Demonstrates active listening, critical observation, curiosity, and openness to giving and receiving feedback.
14. Demonstrates adaptability, assertiveness, initiative, resilience, patience, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment.
15. Knowledge of computers, specifically Excel, Word, Outlook, and other technology platforms utilized for service delivery, documentation, reporting, scheduling, and communication.
16. Flexibility in assigned working hours, work locations, service areas, and program assignments.
17. Operation of a motor vehicle is required which includes proof of a valid driver's license, an ability to maintain automobile liability insurance as required by state law in Tennessee, and an ability to qualify as a driver under MillarRich, LLC insurance guidelines.