Employment Specialist

About the Role

An Employment Specialist serves as a vital connector between job seekers and community employers, providing tailored support, coaching, and guidance to help clients achieve their employment goals. This role involves teaching confidence and motivating clients from diverse backgrounds to overcome barriers and succeed in workforce development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement job development and placement for participants, including individuals with disabilities or those with barriers to employment.
• Provide case management, establish and determine plan compliance, and initiate action to aid individuals or families in becoming self-sufficient.
• Counsel program participants.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of clients’ skills, interests, and employment barriers to develop personalized employment plans.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and training to clients, including resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace skills development.
• Build strong relationships with local employers to identify job openings and facilitate successful placements for clients.
• Assist clients with navigating employment laws, labor regulations, and workplace rights.
• Support clients from underserved communities and individuals with disabilities or developmental disabilities by offering specialized case management and social services.
• Maintain detailed documentation of client progress, service plans, and job placement outcomes using Microsoft Office tools.
• Collaborate with community organizations, social workers, educators, and other stakeholders to expand workforce development programs and outreach efforts.
• Compile and submit quarterly reports in the format prescribed by the Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Microsoft Office

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma required.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field or 3 or more years experience or equal combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Must be willing to obtain Employment Specialist Certification through CCS and Voc Rehab.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid South Dakota Driver’s license & ability to be bonded.
• Must not be excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and any Federal health care program, as provided by the OIG, USDHHS.

Skills and Other Qualifications

• Deep understanding of employment & labor law as it relates to diverse populations.
• Proven experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or other special needs.
• Excellent written communication skills for report writing, client documentation, and program materials.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse communities and underserved populations.
• Experience in workforce development programs including recruiting, training & development, mentoring, and coaching.
• Skilled in interviewing techniques, client communication strategies, and client advocacy.
• Capable of managing multiple cases simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• A strong commitment to working as an integral part of a team.