Employment Specialist

The IPS Employment Specialist is responsible for developing employer partnerships to identify job opportunities, market skills and strengths of job seekers, address employer needs and organizational cultures to assist individuals in Employment Services to reach their goal of community employment.

RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:

Implements strategies to achieve the goals for the organization and . Sustains policies, procedures and programs. Typically works on projects and tasks that span 3 - 12 months.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

1. Project and Change Management: Effectively plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments. Periodically serves as a team member or subject matter expert on formal or department projects. Effectively engages in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor.  Follows through on learning, skill building, and practice necessary to adapt to change.

2. Problem Solving:  General supervision, regular review of work by manager or senior coworker.  May be paired with senior team member for development purposes.  Uses skills to solve problems of routine complexity; able to identify root cause, interpret data, and resolve issues.

3. Technical Skills:  Fundamental knowledge of professional principles and skills.  Works in compliance with established procedures. 

4. Community Engagement: Serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community. Participates in volunteer opportunities as schedules and interest permit.

5. Develop employer partnerships to identify and customize job opportunities for individuals in the program.

6.  Market skills and strengths of people served and program support services.  Act as liaison with employers, public and private employment agencies and other Goodwill staff to develop job opportunities.

7. Evaluate, develop, implement and monitor Individual Service Plans evaluating individual's unique strengths and establishing appropriate goals and objectives for each individual consumer to help them accomplish their goal of community employment and and match skills to different vocational interest areas .

8.  Develop working relationships and collaboration with collegues across Goodwill business units who are similarly focused on business development, placement or community outreach, identify and pursue job leads for Employment Services individuals; develop the ability to cross sell for other Goodwill business units, in Mission Services and Mission Operations.

9.  Independantly organize and multi-task weekly activities and requirements to manage a caseload of 30-40 individuals authorized to receive placement services and provide services according to contract including job preparation, development, placement and retention services.

10. Maintain all necessary records including Monthly Progress Reports, computer entries (i.e., placements, follow-up and status change, Billing and Employer Job Orders, etc.).

11. Provide counseling and guidance in the areas of:  Career exploration, advocacy, personal grooming, financial, job seeking skills, problem-solving, community resources, and other resources and areas which may affect employment.  Function as a case manager.

12. Assist newly employed individuals in the orientation to the firm's policies, procedures, products, services, standards, fringe benefits, and opportunities.

13. Provide on-the-job training job coaching support and/or other employment related support services as needed to elicit regular feedback from employers for successful closure and retention services for individuals we serve.

14. Provide job retention and systematic instruction services.  Target behavior or work conditions that are problematic to the individual consumer and develop a plan  to reduce target behavior or remedy the situation on the job.

15. Provide educational,  problem solving/supportive techniques to individual consumers, family members, referral sources and employers to meet workplace needs.

16. Communicate and effectively build professional working relationships with the referral and funding sources and significant others to coordinate effective services.

17. Promote and market Goodwill programs in the community through transition and provider fairs, employer outreach, site visits and other events to provide education on services and support business development activities.

18. Provide ongoing support, training and assistance to employers.

19. Maintain a safe and orderly work environment.

20. Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's degree required. 

2. Must have a valid Wisconsin Driver's license, a vehicle and insurance coverage

3. Effective computer skills for reporting, communication, information gathering and presentation purposes

CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Customer Focus: Independently anticipate and meet customer needs, while searching for ways to improve customer service.  Internalize customer feedback, and follow up with customer to ensure problems are solved by providing innovative ideas to meet their future needs.

2. Values Differences:  Seeks out the diverse perspectives and talents of others, striving to work effectively with others who have different perspectives, backgrounds or styles.  Behave with sensitivity towards differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.  Challenge stereotyping or offensive comments. 

3. Communicates Effectively: Shares information and updates with others, while ensuring a clear, concise and professional communication through reports, documentation, written and other communications.  Listens with interest to what others have to say.  

4. Situational Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility of responses to different situations through adapting to the changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities.  Monitors how well an approach is working to see if a change is needed, recognizing cues that suggest a change in approach or behavior is needed.

5. Drives Results: Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve meaningful results, through driving tasks to successful completion and closure.  Sets high standards for own performance, showing determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks.

6. Ensures Accountability: Takes responsibility and ownership for successes and failures in own work.  Monitors progress of performance and changes approach accordingly, following through on commitments.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:

Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds.   Moves about to accomplish tasks.   Remain stationary for extended periods of time, Repetitive use of hands and vision Required while using computer keyboard and work with written and electronic information, ability to hear and communicate on phone and in person, training.         

For more information on IPS, please visit www.IPSworks.org. 

To apply directly, email careers@goodwillsew.com.

(SEW) (JOW)