Location: Independence, MO

Department: Employment Services

Employment Type: Full-time and Part-time

Job Summary:
Join our dedicated team as an Employment Specialist, where you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of individuals seeking meaningful employment. In this role, you will develop and implement comprehensive vocational services tailored to each client's unique needs. We are looking for compassionate individuals who excel in communication, possess strong advocacy skills, and are committed to fostering long-term vocational success for clients. Your expertise in the local labor market will be invaluable as you create employer relationships and support clients in achieving their career goals.

As an Employment Specialist, you will provide individualized career planning, job placement, and retention support, ensuring that clients receive the guidance they need to thrive in their employment journey.

The Employment Specialist position offers…

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Career Advancement & Wage Growth - Grow in your career with great opportunities for upward mobility and added income
• Comprehensive Training - Learn and develop skills with our robust on-the-job training
• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting healthy, joyful workforce engagement

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement all phases of clients’ vocational services, including individualized career planning and job placement.
• Build and maintain employer relationships to create competitive, integrated employment opportunities for clients.
• Conduct client orientations to explain services and discuss rights and responsibilities.
• Assist clients with benefits planning and job retention skills.
• Advocate for clients with employers and educate them on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities.
• Maintain frequent contact with referral sources to discuss shared clients and identify potential referrals.
• Report job development outcomes and relevant information to supervisors regularly.
• Travel extensively to conduct job development and provide on-site job supports as needed, as well as transporting clients when needed in personal vehicle.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required.
• An associate's or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.
• At least one year of experience providing employment services.

Additional Qualifications:

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.
• Must provide evidence that incumbent is free of infectious and contagious disease, such as TB, prior to beginning employment and annually thereafter.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.