Vocational Specialist

A Vocational Specialist is a person who consistently advocates on behalf of those who experience obstacles to traditional employment. The Vocational Specialist works closely with each person represented to conduct all aspects and phases of Supported Employment and Customized Employment such as: Discovery, creation of the Discovery Profile, Customized Plan for Employment, Visual Resume, conducting Job Development to include conducting Employer Needs Analysis as well as engaging in Negotiation to determine duties and pay, and assisting in the creation of job descriptions for newly created positions.

The goal of the Vocational Specialist is to assist specific people represented to locate and sustain work based on their conditions, interests, and contributions Works closely with a variety of businesses and other organizations to coordinate and deliver supports that ensure the success.

The Vocational Specialist works independently within the scope of Vocational Services. The Vocational Specialist is responsible for maintaining their own schedule while ensuring they reach a minimum of 75% of time spent in billable hours per week while managing utilization with a target of 90% utilization for each person represented.

The position of Vocational Specialist is one that crosses a variety of professional domains. As such, the Vocational Specialist should be familiar with and proficient in functions/tasks that would typically fall within the job descriptions of: Vocational Assessor, Recruiter, Business Consultant, Sales, and Job Coach.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Encourages and honors each person to be the decision maker in his/her life.
• Translates daily activities into workplace tasks based on value and capability of the job seeker. Focuses on strength, capability, and competency.
• Performs all job duties with the understanding that matching employer needs and job seeker needs are both critical in creating value added outcomes.
• Conducts Employer Needs/Benefits Analysis (ENBA), helping employers focus on unmet needs. This may include tasks that need to be completed but are not getting done, tasks that are better suited to be completed at a lower pay grade, opening that higher paygrade to greater productivity, and tasks that enhance the overall operation of the business.
• Conducts job site Job Analysis. Within the Job Analysis, helping determine the natural ways and means of the business. This assists the Vocational Specialist as they act as a liaison during the onboarding and training process.
• Enters contract negotiation on behalf of the job seeker being represented. This may include negotiations regarding conditions of employment, duties to be completed, as well as negotiation around pay and required benefits.
• Creates an Employment Support Plan that assists each new employee in ongoing success with their position.
• Completes activities of Discovery (what others may call vocational assessment), focusing on strengths, needs and interests of the job seeker as outlined in the 2014 amendment to the rehabilitation act: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
• Knows, understands, and manages cases within a variety of funding sources which may include, Medicaid Waiver, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Private Funding, School Funding, and Grant Opportunities.
• Tracks monthly progress for each job seeker represented.
• Manages referral processes and reporting requirements for each funding source.
• Coordinates benefits analysis when appropriate.
• Engages in training and on-the-job support as required for each job seeker represented.
• Implement all supports as specified in the person-centered plan, individual support plan, personal employment goals and support plans [for psychiatric, behavioral, or other concerns].
• Identify and assist in the establishment of any required job site accommodations.
• Complete and periodically update individual employment or career planning tools, such as Discovery Profiles, Employment Planning Meetings, Community Calendars, and Vocational Goal Plans.
• Provide training to community employers on Customized Employment as well as Supported Employment.
• Conduct presentations on customized employment to potential employers as well as outside organizations as the opportunity arises.
• Maintain flexible work schedule according to the vocational and employment needs of the job seekers represented, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ensure at all times the health and safety of each person represented and apply emergency procedures as necessary.
• Provide training regarding the vocational profile and on-the-job support strategies to the assigned job coach when appropriate.
• Demonstrates professionalism, dignity, and respect towards people represented, co-workers, management, and other associates both within the organization and outside the company.
• Serves as a constant positive role model with the people represented, team members, co-workers, management, and others both within the organization and outside the company.
• Reports any questions or concerns directly to the program supervisor.

Licensing and Contractual Compliance:

• Act in accordance with all agency policies, state and federal regulations, local monitoring standards, and contractual requirements
• Actively and appropriately responds to and reports emergency situations, including utilizing the emergency on-call system if required.
• Report immediately all violations of agency policies, state or federal regulations, local monitoring standards, or contractual requirements to immediate supervisor of by activating the Emergency On-Call System.

Administrative:

• Complies with all InVision Human Services policies, procedures, and standard business practices.
• Correctly and accurately completes and submits by stated deadline, InVision Human Services required documents such as timesheets, expense reports and service notes.
• Submits required information such as physical examinations, vehicle insurance and vehicle registration and Act 33 and 34 clearances to supervisory or administrative staff as requested by stated deadlines.
• Adheres to schedule for arrival time, scheduled appointments, and other company related meetings. Maintain accurate schedule in Microsoft Outlook. Provides access to daily schedule to Program Supervisor and amend when schedule changes providing adequate explanation.
• Provide positive representation of InVision Human Services to community business partners and other organizations.
• Develop relationships with businesses and business organizations for the purposes of identifying potential work opportunities.
• Provide informal training to other associates both within and outside of the agency.
• Seek out and participate in training and other educational opportunities that contribute to professional growth.
• Utilizes computer equipment and programs to provide efficient and effective communication and workflow.
• Maintain current, accurate and systematic service notes detailing daily work performance as well as strategies utilized to enhance work performance; documentation must occur at the time services are rendered.
• Utilize a descriptive writing technique focusing on positive attributes of the individual supported. Highlight strengths through descriptive writing as well as describing the support received.
• Meet with program supervisor monthly or as requested for supervision and/or employee development.
• Provides guidance and acts as a liaison between the person represented and social security administration to ensure the individual has access to benefits counseling.
• Provides guidance and assists with business planning for individuals who choose to pursue self-employment.

Financial Management:

• Provides full documentation of all expenditures made on behalf of the company in the form of petty cash, personal expense reimbursements, or other related disbursements.
• Makes all programmatic expenditures within amounts approved by immediate supervisor or appropriate management personnel.
• Reports immediately any discrepancies related to the use of personal or company funds.

• Report earnings for individual supported, as required and/or appropriate. Provides each person represented with information to continue reporting income to the social security administration.
• Maintain accurate and current recording of time worked utilizing current agency method.
• Performs other job-related tasks, duties and responsibilities from time to time as requested by Program Supervisor and/or Manager.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree plus 1 year experience working with people in a service capacity [or equivalent combination of education and work history]. Nationally recognized certification as an Employment Professional may be substituted in lieu of the aforementioned requirements. Such certification would include ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators), CESP (Certified Employment Supports Professional) through National APSE. Performance based certification in Customized Employment through Marc Gold & Associates or Griffin Hammis Associates. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations, as position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy. Demonstrated ability to write both descriptively and professionally.

• A nationally recognized certification as an Employment Professional is required to perform employment services funded through Medicaid Waiver and The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Those hired into this position will have six months to obtain the required certification.
• Valid driver's license and current vehicle insurance.

• Ability to comprehend, access, and utilize electronic medium and various computer programs.
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and respond to questions from employers, people represented, and other colleagues.

• Ability to comprehend and apply basic mathematical concepts.
• Ability to think and react quickly in crisis situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any job-related function as directed by their supervisor.