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Vocational Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

? Provides vocational training, supports, and assessments for individuals who have a future goal of working in a

community.

? Initiates and maintains ongoing relationships with area businesses, sets up community based vocational

assessment sites and volunteer opportunities.

? Assists individuals during community experiences, including volunteer opportunities, paid or unpaid

internships and worksite visits. This could include job coaching.

? Provides information about available services, programs, and vocational opportunities to individuals, family

members and other support providers.

? Reviews potential barriers to community employment with individuals and create plans for ways to overcome

barriers. This includes working with the Plan Writer to develop individual's plans.

? Supports individuals in developing resumes, practicing interviewing skills and provides instruction and

teaching of tasks necessary to obtain employment. This could include instruction in the appropriate use of

job related facilities such as lunchrooms, cafeterias, and restrooms.

? Provides travel training designed to teach individuals how to travel safely and independently using public

transportation.

? Provides education and counseling around benefits management, stress management, social skill

development and interpersonal skill development.

? Completes all paperwork for service documentation and billing in accordance with OPWDD regulations and

agency policies. Maintains record keeping systems for program participants.

? Attends meetings for individuals as well as participates in required departmental meetings, special projects,

and in-services or other trainings.

? Provides transportation to and from vocational experiences in the community.

? Maintains and assures security of all confidential files and information on individuals receiving services,

provides documentation in accordance with State and Federal regulations.

? Plans and conducts job readiness classes and job club activities.

? Fill in for other employment staff, as needed.

? Informs the Assistant Director or Director of Employment Services of concerns with placements, business

relationships, accidents/incidents, or sensitive situations pertaining to individuals receiving services.

? This position requires a two-week notice of voluntary resignation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES

Knowledge: Strong communication skills (verbally and written), adaptability/flexibility, personal

accountability, compliance with policy/procedures/regulations, build and maintain collaborative

relationships, business ethics, employee/employer relations (coaching, training, motiving), strong time

management skills, works well as part of a team, problem solving, record keeping procedures, various

computer programs and applications, adherence to training requirements, maintains confidentiality, safety

and security.

Skills: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent

change, delays, or unexpected events. Changes approach/method to best fit the situation; Manages difficult

or emotional situations; while keeping one's own emotions under control; Follows instructions and responds

promptly to needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for assistance; Meets

commitments; Maintains confidentiality; Exhibits sound judgment. Includes appropriate people in decision making process; Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets

clarification; responds well to questions; Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Organizes

schedules; Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Works well in team problem solving

situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics; - Identifies and resolves problems in a

timely manner; Works well in team problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with

emotional topics; Must be knowledgeable about various software programs and proprietary applications;

Become trained in the use of Therap for plan writing, event reporting and ongoing communication. Become

trained in the use of New York Employment Services System (NYESS).

Competencies:

? Efficiency: Demonstrates highly efficient time management skills; adept at multi-tasking to accomplish

goals; performs activities in an orderly, efficient, and cohesive manner; plans schedule in a way to

improve productivity and efficiency.

? Customer Service: Consistently exceeds individual and business expectations by working efficiently and

ensuring that all job quality standards are met; listens to businesses and individuals attentively,

addresses their concerns; enacts a personal approach to service provision; projects a professional

image; maintains composure and preforms to agency standards in high pressure situations; conducts

appropriate investigations to identify the root cause of any problems while including the employer and

searching for collaborative resolution; maintains integrity at all times.

? Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with respect, collaboration, and support in such a way that work

relationships are improved so morale and job satisfaction are increased; discusses interpersonal

disagreements and conflict and assists individual to problem solve; is approachable, helpful, and

trustworthy; communicates well with others.

? Organization and Planning: Maintains an accurate schedule of events; prioritizes activities correctly to

ensure deliverables are produced on time; electronic and hard copy files are systematically arranged and

easily retrievable; understands the departmental and organizational calendars.

? Record Keeping: Maintains various Agency files, paperwork, and documentation to ensure compliance

with standard business procedures and local, state, and federal law; retains documentation using hard

copy and electronic formats; is well organized, accurate, and current.

? Teamwork: Works with a spirit of collaboration; willing to assist other Team Members in order to

ensure success; helps others without being asked; demonstrates consistency in working additional or

irregular hours on short notice due to business needs.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma/GED and one year of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental

disabilities

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully

perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent: sitting, time spent on the telephone, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and

office equipment, standing, bending, and stooping, twisting of waist side-to-side, turning and flexion of the

neck, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

SPECIAL NOTES, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

License: Must possess a valid NYS driver's license and an acceptable driving record. Successful completion of

all required agency/state/federal training.

Language: Fluent English communication skills are required of this position.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an

employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may

be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

? Works with household cleaning solutions.

? Regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.

? The employee is regularly exposed to dusty conditions.

? The employee is regularly exposed to varying temperature levels.

? The employee is regularly exposed to high noise environments.

? Work may be performed indoors and/or outdoors depending on employment needs.

? Works with electric/hydraulic/manual lift/ramp equipment, and office equipment.

? Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment at all times.

? Responsibilities occasionally may require an adjusted work schedule including overtime.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Reasonable accommodations will be made in compliance with the

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADAAA of 2008.

Occupational Safety and Health Act: Exposed to human body fluids, airborne agents, household chemicals.

May be exposed to contagious diseases.

The rate of pay for this position is $36,400 annually, based on $17.50/hour