The Arc/PDDC • 2350 West Westmoreland Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 • 215-229-4550

Employment Specialist
Reports to:  Associate Director of Community Integrated Employment (CIE)
FLSA status:  non exempt 

Summary
The Employment Specialist is responsible to support the mission of The Arc/PDDC by supporting consumers to gain and retain independent competitive and community based employment. 

Position Responsibilities
Supporting job success

  1. Create employment opportunities for assigned consumers.  Cultivate relationships with area businesses with the goal of generating employment leads.
  2. Develop and implement personalized on-the-job-training program for each employed consumer to help him or her learn and perform the requirements of the job including
    a.         Teaching work rules/expectations
    b.         Teaching appropriate social workplace behaviors.
    c.         Teaching how to independently travel to and from work.  In the interim transport or escort consumer to job location
  3. Encourage and motivate the consumer to fully engage in work and make a long term commitment to job. Participate in the development and implementation of job integration/success plan.
  4. Provide ongoing and immediate feedback, assistance and follow up supporting consumer success in the workplace.
  5. Work closely with the employment team to present a personalized and holistic approach to job preparation and training.
  6. Identify workplace challenges and intervention to preserve the integrity of the consumer and to maintain the job.
  7. Work closely with employer engaging them as advocates and mediators for consumer. Partner with employer to provide work accommodations as necessary.
  8. Help to teach appropriate social behavior to the individuals by modeling appropriate social behavior at all times including maintaining  good attendance record including punctuality, following work procedures,  maintaining appropriate workplace behaviors, dressing appropriately and filling our time sheets accurately and timely.
  9. Develop and maintain good relationships with partnering companies and agencies while educating employers regarding working with people with barriers to employment. Promote success of the placement by providing advocacy
  10. Develop and maintain good relationships with families of consumers to support job experience.
  11. Ensure compliance with contracts with partnering companies and agencies.  Submit monthly coaching reports and other documentation as required.
  12. Attend departmental and agency-wide staff meetings as required.

Qualifications

  1. High School graduate or GED. Relevant experience with people with disabilities and 3 years prior work experience desirable.
  2. Clear criminal and child abuse history, medical and drug screen. Valid and insurable driver’s license.
  3. Must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with people from diverse backgrounds. Must be able to effectively engage andprovide meaningful ongoing support. 
  4. Able to effectively and persuasively explain and advocate for employment of consumers. Able to partner with employers to support consumer employment.
  5. Demonstrates flexibility, good judgment and problem solving skills, patience and persistence.
  6. Demonstrates the organization’s core competencies and solid customer service skills.
  7. Committed and able to consistently model appropriate workplace behaviors as a teaching tool.

Physical environment/working conditions
Must have a valid driver‘s license and be able to travel independently to employment sites and adjust to the work environment of the consumer’s job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.


The above statements describe the general nature of the work being performed by the individual assigned to this position.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Employees may be directed to perform tasks other than those specifically described in this description.