Shire Jobs

May be responsible for coordinating and supervising activities of participants, interns, work study students or volunteers assigned to Siemer or Employment programs

*NOTE-Grants support this position. This position's establishment and continuance may be dependent upon on-going grant funding                            .*

General Responsibilities:

The Employment Training Specialist will be responsible for understanding the needs and wants of community employers to place vocational rehabilitation participants in permanent, competitive positions that satisfy the needs of both the employer and participant.  They will represent our Mission Services team with community employers and be a main point of contact for community employers wishing to work with Goodwill's placement team.

The Employment Training Specialist will work with the Mission Services participants to identify and obtain placements for participants.  In addition to establishing and maintaining these employer relationships, The Employment Training Specialist will be responsible for assisting a caseload of participants in preparing for employment as well as assisting with facility-based activities, job coaching, vocational evaluations, job carving and/or employer support as needed. 

The Employment Training Specialist will gather quantitative, qualitative and observational data to help participants navigate goal setting and future planning, making recommendations for career paths, training and learning plans for participants across our territory (Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph & Van Buren counties) .They teach classes to help participants learn more about essential (soft) skills, online presence (social media), self-advocacy at work and more.

The Employment Training Specialist will work with a variety of participants, including individuals with disabilities, individuals experiencing poverty, in school individuals (high school and post-secondary) and all other individuals participating in work readiness activities across our territory.

Key Performance Indicators for the position include:

• #  of participants obtaining employment
• Average wage of participants placed
• % growth in Vocational Rehabilitation referrals (e.g. job placement services, work readiness training, etc.
• Financial metrics; budget
• Participant satisfaction

The Employment Specialist is an essential part of developing and fully implementing the Mission Services programming across southwestern Michigan. The ideal candidate is outgoing, energetic, believes in continuous improvement and is ready to help build and develop transformational programming in our six counties.

*Essential functions include *(but are not limited to):

Establish and maintain positive working relationships with area employers, Goodwill teammates, participants, community partners and education institutions; work together to strengthen existing programming and identify opportunities for new endeavors.

Provide employment services, such as resume creation, interview assistance, mock interviewing or other employment preparation skills to a caseload of participants seeking work.  Assist these participants in adjusting to jobs, including identifying and facilitating the integration of natural workplace supports; provide job coaching/advocate for job carving as needed. 

Work with vocational rehabilitation (VR) participants who are exploring work through vocational evaluations, on the job evaluations (OJEs), work experiences or class/group-based activities.

Create reports summarizing evaluative data for participants and/or community partners; use reports with participants to help inform and establish participant led program/personal goals; create/maintain report templates!

Assist with grants as needed, including providing content, d