Employment Specialist

Are you a self-motivated and reliable person who can work with adults with disabilities while helping them develop their skills and grow? Then we need you! At Easterseals Hawaii, we are dedicated to serving people with disabilities and building communities of Aloha where everyone has the ability to live independent, fulfilling lives. The Employment Associate works directly with Job Seekers to develop employment opportunities, coach and train individuals in job-related tasks and behavior, and provide ongoing, on-site job support participants throughout Hawaii. Our skilled staff will provide you with the training you need to feel comfortable and confident in all aspects of the role.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Makes decisions and takes actions that are aligned with ESH policies, standard operating procedures, and precedents.
• Networks with business communities to establish relationships that develop job opportunities that support integration and employment outcomes as well as micro-enterprise for ESH Job Seekers.
• Provides individualized training and coaching that supports Job Seekers to achieve the highest level of independence possible in pursuit of their definition of a “good life.”
• Completes required documentation such as reports, data collection, and assessments in timely and professional manner.
• Attends and participates in various internal and external agency meetings as needed. (e.g. DD Council, Workforce Solutions, etc.)
• Provide VWATS services in high school classrooms or through virtual classrooms when requested and approved by the high school.
• Follows organizational guidelines to promote health and safety.
• Monitors, responds to and reports issues of concern to the Program Manager.
• Accurately submits timesheets, leave requests, required credentialing documents, work related training and other required paperwork by the assigned deadline via the Family of Company’s (FoC) web-based platforms.
• Attends and participates in FoC and department meetings & trainings as required.
• Provides services under the Home & Community Waiver Services program as directed by management.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education, Experience & Training Equivalent to:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule is highly preferred.
• Experience working with persons with employment barriers to find and maintain gainful employment in the community is highly preferred.
• Experience in job development and job coach training is highly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Exercise patience and understanding working with participants of many skill levels and individual needs.
• Be culturally respectful while working with an ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse population.
• Communicate effectively (verbally and written), and read, using the primary language within the workplace.
• Exercise confidentiality and discretion pertaining to the work environment as required by HIPAA.
• Be committed to the values of the organization while demonstrating good judgment, flexibility, and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Operating knowledge of a computer, iPad or tablet, applications and software, standard office equipment and Microsoft (Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Utilize computer and cell phone for effective communication.
• Work comfortably with individuals at all levels within the organization.
• Commitment to ongoing training and development as it relates to clinical skills.
• Problem Solving: Calmly handle, and intervene, when necessary, behavioral and health related incidents.
• Action Orientation: Observation of and responsiveness to audio and visual cues from participants, other staff members, and the environment. 
• Time Management:  Prioritize between and handle multiple tasks, projects, and schedules with varied deadlines (both extended and compressed/rushed).
• Communication: Clear and effective oral and written communication with a variety of individuals, including families, participants, guardians, co-workers, volunteers, supervisors/managers, etc.
• Deductive/Inductive Reasoning: Capability to apply and combine pieces of information and general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense or to form conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, twisting when working with participants.
• Responsive to audio and visual cues from participants and their families, other staff members, and the environment
• Work calmly during behavioral and health-related incidents.
• Use logic and reasoning for anticipating future needs, goals, and events.
• Stand or sit for extended periods of time, stand for up to 6-8 hours a day.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and loading of materials up to and including 50lbs.
• Provide assistance during transfers when applicable. Some participants may require the use of a Hoyer lift for transfers.
• Frequent driving (to and from office, the community, schools and participants’ homes) when applicable.
• Work at participants’ homes, community settings, and ESH facility, depending on assignment.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Ability to obtain and maintain criminal record clearance through the Department of Justice (DOJ). The People & Performance Department must analyze DOJ/FBI live scan reports in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, as well as fitness for the position.
• Reliable transportation needed.
• (For locations where driving is required) Must have a valid Driver’s License with Insurance, proof of current vehicle registration and safety check; maintain a clean driving record.
• Must pass health screenings, obtain vaccinations, and clear TB testing based on company policies.
• Obtain and maintain clearance through the Office of Inspector General.
• Obtain and maintain current First Aid and CPR certification.

Must attend all required training.

Full time

22-24 hourly