Employment Resource Manager in Canon City, Colorado at Starpoint

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employment Resource Manager will serve consumers referred for vocational services through a supported employment model and will promote employment skills building and subsequent employment placement for consumers served. The Supported Employment Manager will carry out all vocational services from intake through placement. The Supported Employment program provides support to individuals in finding and maintaining a job placement in the community. This is accomplished by developing and maintaining successful relationships with area businesses, with the ultimate goal of pairing individuals with the right job for them. The Supported Employment program manager is responsible for providing administrative oversight as well as overseeing program operations, including building and maintaining these relationships with area businesses to better support the individuals in the program. This position supervises a team that provides skilled ongoing direct services to individuals in order to support their vocational goals and assist in skill building so they can be successful in their jobs! The Supported Employment Manager & Support Advocate provides advocacy for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (clients) to ensure their rights are protected, their needs are met, their voices are heard, and that our clients receive fair and just treatment and equal representation while navigating through various social service systems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates with the State of Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

• Identify and provide vocational assessments to support employment placement.

• Network with employers and develop potential employment opportunities integrating consumer employment interests and acting as a liaison between consumers and employers.

• Conducts and facilitates employment skill building groups, therapeutic groups, and activities.

• Trains, coaches, supervises, and provides job support to consumers involved in the program.

• Provides job development services and educates consumers how to access and utilize community resources.

• Provides individualized support to employer and consumer on a time unlimited basis – employer supports may include education and guidance and consumer support may include crisis intervention, job coaching or counseling, support/groups, transportation, treatment changes (medication), and networked supports (friends/family).

• Meets all guidelines of supported employment program as outlined by the State of Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the SAMHSA supported employment model.

• Listen to the needs and resources required for individual clients referred by to the agency by themselves, parents/guardians, case managers, social workers or school personnel and determine the need for an advocacy specialist.

• Assist clients, and when appropriate their family/guardian/friends, in developing an individualized support plan for advocacy.

• Assist clients by representing their interests in a variety of settings (i.e., the disability services sector, judicial and education systems, and the community at large).

• Build cooperative problem-solving approaches around the interest of clients with others in the community including their family, personal support systems and service providers.

• Assist clients and their family/friend support system in understanding their choices, their rights as individuals, the services and opportunities that are available to them and the potential implications of any of their decisions.

• Provide education, and empower clients to enable them to become effective self-advocates when it is in their best interest to do so.

• Be knowledgeable and stay current about laws, rules and regulations that provide protection, resources, services and supports to individuals with disabilities.

• Provide information and referral resources for families who have family members with disabilities.

• Provide education for families on an individual basis with the goal being empowerment and independence.

• Provide guidance and support through a variety of application processes, as needed for non-readers.

• Attend and participate in IDP meetings, Service Plans, or other meetings for individuals with disabilities when requested by the family or the person with the disability.

• Maintain expertise on applicable laws and effective supports and interventions for individuals with disabilities through review of written materials and attendance at workshops and conferences.

• Provide workshops, in-services, and training on topics of general interest to people with disabilities and their families.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a directly related field is preferred.

• 1+ years of direct vocational services, experience is preferred.

• Working knowledge/experience with the state of Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Individualized Placement and Support model.

Specific knowledge in any combination of the following areas:

• Special Education Services

• Home and Community Based Waivers and Services, and the related application process

• Medicaid based service provision systems

• The SSI/SSDI application process

• Guardianship and Supported Decision Making

• Support for Individuals with IDD navigating criminal justice systems

• Resource Navigation