Community Employment Specialist - Team Leader in Red Oak, Iowa at Nishna Productions Inc

This is a full time position 40+ hours a week.

Community Employment Support Professional-Team Leader

I. This position is directly responsible to the Quality Assurance & Safety Specialist.

II. This position is responsible for the completion of Community Employment-related duties. These duties include, but are not limited to, Career Exploration, Job Development, Job Shadows, Job Coaching, and the completion of Workplace Readiness Assessments. This position will also act as the Team Leader for all other staff working in the Community Employment Department.

III. Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Career Exploration

1. Provide Career Exploration activities to individuals of all ages receiving services.

2. Meeting with individuals and families/guardians to introduce supported employment, as well as explore the individual’s employment goals.

3. Work with individuals to develop a formalized career plan. This will be accomplished by utilizing discovery techniques, business tours, job shadowing, informational interviews, work site assessments, and other job exploration activities.

4. Work with individuals to develop soft skills. This may include working on interviewing skills, conducting/organizing mock-interviews, working on co-worker relations, how to communicate with supervisors, and improving customer service skills.

5. Work with Individuals to explore topics on and improve financial literacy.

6. Document individual performance daily. Keep all charts and daily reports up to date and accurate. Submit data to supervisor as requested.

7. Develop relationships with local business and industry in order to offer a variety of career exploration options to individuals receiving services. In order to offer a good sample of career options, employers must be willing to allow Nishna Productions, Inc. staff and clients into their business to observe and interact with employees.

8. As needed, manage transportation for individuals receiving Career Exploration services.

B. Job Development

1. Implement marketing strategies for Community-Based Employment services.

2. Complete job development based on inclusion, commensurate wages, benefits, consumer choice, and employer needs.

3. Maintain regular contact with community employers.

4. Oversee completion of all placement forms and documentation of on-going performance.

5. Make arrangements for job coaching for individuals placed.

6. Work with agency Program Coordinators or outside professionals, i.e. Community Case Managers, IVRS Counselors, School Personnel, etc., in developing and coordinating any other services that consumers might need.

7. Act as a liaison with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Medicaid Case Managers, HHS Social Workers, and local school systems. Coordinate referrals from these referral sources.

8. Responsible for maintenance of all records and documentation using the proper forms as they relate to established procedures and accreditation standards.

9. Coordinate with Community-Based Employment staff to ensure completion of placements and all duties associated with placements.

10. Responsible for maintaining CARF accreditation.

C. Workplace Readiness Assessment-WRA

1. As requested, assess individuals participating in Workplace Readiness Assessment.

2. For Workplace Readiness Assessments, complete the following:

a) Develop job exploration, job shadowing, and on-site assessment sites in the communities where the individuals have expressed a desire to work or to secure further training.

b) Provide 100% supervision and support to individuals while being assessed on community job opportunities. Complete a timesheet with stated wage for payment through NPI for individuals involved in on-site assessment.

c) Complete all forms required for the Workplace Readiness Assessment.

d) Complete a final report summarizing the results of the assessment and addressing the supports needs of the individual in order to be successful in community employment or additional training.

e) Conduct an exit staffing.

f) Complete Case Activity Logs to document activities pursued with the individual.

g) Complete all paperwork as required for each service.

3. Responsible for maintaining CARF accreditation.

D. Job Coaching

1. Provide direct training and support to individuals on community job sites.

2. Implement goals and objectives, and methods for achieving them. Carry out instructional activities consistent with individual training objectives.

3. Document individual performance daily. Keep all charts and daily reports up to date and accurate. Submit data to supervisor as requested.

4. Attend and participate in any staff meetings.

5. If requested, handle transportation to and from job sites at the beginning of each placement.

6. Learn tasks of community job sites in order to train individuals. Be available as needed to provide support and follow-up.

7. Communicate with supervisor regarding the development of any necessary behavior intervention data.

8. Integrate the individual with his/her co-workers. Provide models for others for appropriate ways to interact with the individual.

9. Assist the employer in working through any employment problems, encouraging employers to deal directly with the individual as much as possible.

10. Work with the employer in completing regular performance evaluations with the individual.

11. Handle any other duties assigned by the Executive Director or the Quality Assurance and Safety Specialist as specified and within the timeframe given.

12. Complete employment advocacy with employers, co-workers, and customers.

E. Community Employment

1. Implement marketing strategies for Community-Based Employment services.

2. Complete job development based in inclusion, commensurate wages, hours, benefits, consumer choice, and employer needs.

3. Maintain regular contact with community employers.

4. Make arrangements for job coaching individuals placed.

5. Work with agency Program Coordinators or outside professionals, i.e. Community Care Managers, IVRS Counselors, School Personnel, etc., in developing and coordinating any other services that the consumer might need.

6. Act as liaison with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Medicaid Community Care Coordinators, DHS Social Workers, and local school systems. Coordinate referrals from these referral sources.

7. Coordinate with other Community-Based Employment staff to ensure completion of placements and all duties associated with placements.

8. Responsible for maintaining CARF accreditation.

F. Other Duties and Job Responsibilities:

1. Provide directions and supervision to all Community Employment Services Staff. Complete performance evaluations according to required schedule. Hire and fire for these positions.

2. As requested, assist with marketing and public relations activities for the agency.

3. Participate in scheduling and facilitating planning meetings for enrollment in all community-employment related services. Complete intake paperwork for all referrals. Coordinate the implementation of service delivery directly or provide the services.

4. Ensure that funding approvals are in place prior to the initiation of services. Be familiar with the varied funding sources.

5. All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Quality Assurance and Safety Specialist.

6. Track the client wages and hours on a quarterly basis with a spreadsheet showing data.

7. Track completion of drills monthly on a spreadsheet on a monthly basis.

8. Complete Employment reporting when MCO’s request for it to be completed.

9. Complete IVRS reports when request has been made for it to be completed.

10. Complete auditing on all CE staff on a daily basis.

11. Complete billing each month with those that receive IVRS funding each month and send to billing department.

12. Complete Quality Indicators bi-annually or when requested.

IV. Essential Functions:

1. Nishna Productions, Inc. exist to serve the needs of people with disabilities. Frequently, these persons have behavior disorders, which may result in the display of aggressive outbursts of a physical nature. The individual may or may not be able to control these episodes. All employees must be willing to participate in working with and training of behavior problem individuals. The behavioral problems may include both verbal and physically aggressive individuals.

2. Provide quality services. These quality services must meet the agency’s standards. These services include all services under The IVRS Menu of Services- but primarily involve Career Exploration, Job Development, Job Shadows, Job Coaching, Workplace Readiness Assessments, and work performance and behavior training.

3. Provide a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere for all individuals receiving services.

4. Exhibit competent verbal and written communications skills.

5. Be able to drive from one location to another.

6. Exhibit the ability to represent the agency in a professional manner in the community.

7. Advocate for individuals with disabilities to employers.

8. Market agency services to the community.

9. Must be willing to work whatever hours are needed to provide services the agency has agreed to. These may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.

10. Must possess or be able to develop leadership and supervisory skills in order to provide supervision to the department.

11. Complete all required paperwork.

12. Provide job coaching on community job sites.

13. Must complete certification training required by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

14. Ability to complete electronic documentation.

15. All staff/volunteers of Nishna Productions, Inc. will comply with state and federal regulations regarding HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

16. Every employee/volunteer of Nishna Productions, Inc. is on a need-to-know basis regarding the PHI (Protected Health Information) of the individuals they serve. Therefore, a security clearance level is assigned for each job description, and those security levels are allowed access only to the information required to complete the duties in each position.

· Level One allows the least access and is intended for truck drivers, maintenance staff, production workers, and volunteers.

· Level Two is for direct care workers including floaters/substitutes, SCLS, Program Instructors, Day Hab aids, Vocational Trainers, lead staff, and 1:1 staff.

· Level Three includes the office support staff.

· Level Four is for Team Leaders, supervisors, and Work Center Supervisors.

· Level Five is the security clearance given to Program Coordinators.

· Level Six allows access to all PHI and includes Directors/Administrators, Quality Assurance, and IT staff.

· Temporary clearance for PHI access can be given if staff require access to complete extra assigned duties (i.e. filling in for another department). Maintenance personnel are given permanent access to areas where PHI is stored that they may need to enter in order to complete their duties.

I. Qualifications/Requirements:

1. Requires a bachelor’s degree in human services or marketing fields or equivalent experience.

2. Prefer have five (5) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.

3. Prefer previous supervisory experience.

4. Maintain insurability with agency vehicle insurance carrier.

5. Must possess leadership skills.

6. Must be willing to work with individuals who have behavioral disorders, which may result in the display of an aggressive outburst of a physical nature.

7. Must have the ability and desire to work with other employees as a team.

8. Must have good verbal and written communication.

9. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Iowa Chauffer’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record.

10. Must exercise good judgement when the situation requires immediate decision-making when dealing with staff or individuals receiving services.

11. Must not have been legally convicted of any type of assault, abuse, or bodily injury.

12. A professional and personal image and attitude is needed to represent those served and the agency itself.

13. All agency staff are required to participate and cooperate with agency investigations. Confidentiality will be respected.

14. High human relations skills-The ability to meet and deal effectively with people and the public.

15. Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and early mornings.

16. Be able to understand, relate to, and be compassionate to individuals with disabilities.

17. Must be organized and willing to work under pressure to meet deadlines for completion of community employment-related services.

18. Must exhibit keen observation skills for completion of task analysis and vocational assessments.

19. Must successfully complete the state-required CESP exam and maintain certification as a Certified Employment Support Professional.

20. Individuals “must not have or be a carrier” of a serious infectious or communicable disease, such as but not limited to, incurable, fatal, or debilitating diseases, which cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. A current example would include, but not limited to, tuberculosis. Determination of the existence of a serious disease is to be made by the proper medical authorities.

II. Physical Requirements:

1. Must be able to travel from place to place, up to 70 miles.

2. Must be able to enter and exit facilities that may or may not be accessible to everyone.

3. Must be able to carry necessary paper and supplies to perform functions.

4. Must be able to provide physical care necessary to individuals when performing job coaching duties.

5. Ability to physically assist an individual to regain his balance or to transfer from a sitting, standing, or prone position.