Program specialist employment

Our mission is to provide programs and services to support people with disabilities to be included in the community, attain the highest level of independence, and live lives with maximum satisfaction.

Summary
The Employment Program Specialist is responsible to support the mission of SpArc Services by coordinating all aspects of employment support with participant’s, business partners, community partners, funding sources, families and support.

Program Administrations

• Understands the program regulations and stays abreast of current compliance standards. Is able to work with the Director to implement changes as required.
• Acts as the Point person for participant emergencies when the director is unavailable, including delegating or providing substitute coaching coverage.
• Assists in the training of new staff including, including answering questions, peer support, and shadowing.
• Acts as the Point person for individuals, families and employers.
• Takes general program calls, responds to inquiries and disseminates information to appropriate parties.
• Assist in the coordination of coaching schedule
• Checks service reports and billing through various employment reporting systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Case Management

• Responsible for the coordination and completion employment referral intake.
• Responsible for conducting thorough and thoughtful vocational assessments; evaluating the strengths, obstacles and experiences of participants in order to facilitate appropriate services and employment opportunities.
• Participates in the development of participant’s ISP, ISP annual update and all ISP revisions.
• Attends participant ISP meeting and team meeting.
• Assists participants in obtaining the necessary services and resources in order to remove barriers to employment (transportation, housing, behavioral supports, etc.)
• Assists participant’s with maintaining waiver eligibility
• Assists job developers with caseload monitoring, follow-up, reporting and invoicing.
• Reports changes related to participant needs to the Supports Coordinator and other team members.
• Conducts coaching services reviews and complete quarterly

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinates all aspects of participant support, program compliance, maximizing participant choice and treating all participants with personal dignity.
• Ensures all team members are aware of the components of the ISP. Engages parent(s) or caregivers on plan implementation and ongoing exchange of information.
• Provides crisis intervention as necessary to support participants. Uses the least restrictive emergency procedure when necessary to protect the individual from injuring self or others. Follows intervention policies and regulations. State unusual incident standards are understood and followed
• Provide support to direct service staff encouraging productive activities and redirection of behaviors as necessary.
• Assist in the resolution of transportation problems or mobility needs as necessary.
• Serves on behavior intervention committee and other committees as appropriate.
• Provide coverage for direct support professionals.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Quality Management Plan and risk management plan
• Assures waiver compliance.

Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships

• Establishes and maintains ongoing effective relationships with all stakeholders to promote employment and ensure quality services through coordinated efforts.
• Identifies and communicates significant events to appropriate team members responsible for care and coordination of all services.
• Maintains positive and transparent relationships with all monitoring agencies. Provides information, responds to requests, promptly and thoroughly responds to all participants, family, funder, and other stakeholder concerns.
• Positively and professionally represents SpArc Philadelphia at appropriate venues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in related field with at least 3 years prior related experience preferably with people with disabilities.
• Clear criminal and child abuse history, medical and drug screen. Valid driver’s license.
• Must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with people from diverse backgrounds and varied abilities.
• Understands the needs of participants and develops program plans that reflect participant interests and potential, family/caregivers and funder concerns.
• Able to provide crisis intervention including de-escalation of behavior.
• Demonstrates the organization’s core competencies and solid customer service skills.
• Strong computer skills including Google Chrome desktop, Microsoft office and other web based applications.
• Ability to translate regulations into practice. Knows the importance of effective record keeping. Possesses strong written communication skills
• Ability to form effective partnerships with all stakeholders including family/caregivers, employers and funders.
• Effectively problem solve with the ability to proactively address issues preventing escalation.
• Requires self direction, independence, good time management.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and details simultaneously. Ability to work well under pressure, is flexible and able to respond to changing priorities, unplanned events, or emergencies.
• Strong assessment skills and ability to translate assessment results into service plan.

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 participant's job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

How to apply

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resumé to [email protected], using "Program Specialist, Employment" as the subject line.

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