Employment Specialist at The Kennedy Collective Inc – Bridgeport, Connecticut

If you are looking to make an impact through a meaningful and rewarding career, we are currently seeking talented, creative, and committed people who share our values of Challenging the Status Quo, Building Community, Creating Purpose, and Ensuring Inclusion by fostering individuals’ development, well-being, and growth.

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
• Generous PTO
• 401k
• Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

POSITION SUMMARY

The Employment Specialist serves as a dedicated advocate and subject matter expert for individuals with disabilities navigating their employment journey. This role provides comprehensive, person-centered support across the full employment continuum—from initial intake and career planning through job development, on-the-job training, benefits navigation, and long-term work-life sustainability. Operating as an active member of an integrated, multidisciplinary team, the Employment Specialist collaborates with clinicians, vocational rehabilitation counselors, case managers, social workers, and other support providers to ensure each job seeker receives coordinated, holistic services designed to help them obtain, maintain, and advance in meaningful employment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Intake & Career Planning

· Conduct comprehensive intake assessments to identify job seeker strengths, interests, goals, and barriers to employment.

· Develop individualized employment and career plans aligned with each person's unique abilities, aspirations, and support needs.

· Regularly review and update career plans in collaboration with the job seeker and multidisciplinary team.

· Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services, progress notes, and outcome data.

2. Job Development & Employer Engagement

· Actively network with local businesses, employers, and industry partners to identify and create competitive, integrated employment opportunities.

· Promote the skills and contributions of the candidate pool to prospective employers, building awareness of available job seeker supports.

· Develop and maintain strong employer relationships through ongoing communication, workplace consultation, and follow-along support.

· Represent the organization at community events, job fairs, chamber meetings, and business networking forums.

· Negotiate job carving, customized employment arrangements, and reasonable accommodations as appropriate.

3. On-the-Job Training & Supports

· Provide on-site job coaching and skills training to support successful job performance and workplace integration.

· Facilitate natural supports and co-worker mentoring to reduce reliance on direct staff intervention over time.

· Transport individuals to and from job sites, interviews, and work-related appointments as needed.

· Monitor job retention and proactively address challenges to support long-term employment success.

4. Benefits Navigation

· Serve as the team's subject matter expert on Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, including SSI, SSDI, Ticket to Work, Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), and related work incentives.

· Educate job seekers on how employment and wages may impact their benefits, enabling informed decision-making.

· Connect individuals with certified Benefits Counselors and other specialized resources for complex benefits planning.

· Stay current with SSA policy changes and communicate relevant updates to the team and job seekers.

5. Barrier Reduction & Work-Life Management

· Identify and address barriers to employment including, but not limited to, transportation, childcare, professional attire, interview confidence, and housing instability.

· Connect job seekers to community resources, financial assistance programs, and wrap-around supports that promote stability and work readiness.

· Provide coaching and skill-building in areas such as workplace communication, time management, and professional conduct.

· Support individuals in building self-advocacy skills to independently navigate their employment journey over time.

6. Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

· Function as the employment services subject matter expert within an integrated team of clinicians, VR counselors, case managers, and social workers.

· Participate actively in team meetings, case conferences, and collaborative goal-setting to ensure coordinated service delivery.

· Communicate job seeker progress, concerns, and milestones in a timely manner to relevant team members.

· Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors and state agency partners.

Education

· Bachelor's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Marketing, Business, Human Services, or a closely related field required.

· Preferred certifications Certified Employment Support Professional – CESP, Community Partner Work Incentives Counseling-CPWIC.

Experience

· Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, sales, community outreach, or a related field.

· Demonstrated experience developing employer relationships, conducting community presentations, or performing outreach activities.

· Experience working with individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, or other complex needs strongly preferred.

· Knowledge of SSA benefits programs and work incentives preferred; willingness to obtain training required.

Skills & Competencies

· Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

· Ability to engage and motivate diverse populations with empathy and professionalism.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and comfort navigating online resources and databases.

· Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage a dynamic caseload.

· Self-directed, resourceful, and capable of working independently in a community-based setting.

· Public speaking and presentation skills for employer and community engagement.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

· Valid driver's license with a clean driving record; personal vehicle required.

· Ability to transport individuals to and from job sites, interviews, and community appointments.

· Ability to travel regularly throughout the service area, including visits to state facilities and employer locations.

· Ability to pass required background checks in accordance with state and organizational requirements.

· Flexibility in schedule to accommodate job seeker and employer needs, which may occasionally include early morning or evening activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is primarily community-based and requires frequent travel throughout the service region, including visits to employer sites, state facilities, and community locations. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, and drive for extended periods.

The Kennedy Collective invests in the success of all new employees by providing an immersive new hire orientation and training experience. Here’s what you can expect if you’re hired:

• Two-week new hire orientation including an introduction to the agency, site tours, and employer-funded CPR & PMT certification.
• Two weeks of job-specific trainings and shadowing at your worksite
• Check-ins with Human Resources after your first 30, 60, and 90 days

The Kennedy Collective is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Minorities, Women, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans are especially encouraged to apply.