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Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States. We currently have an exciting career opportunity available to join the HKS team as a Part Time Employment Training Specialist for our Placement department in our Brooklyn location.

The Employment Training Specialist is responsible for the execution of HKS’s Mission, goals and objectives through the evaluation and development of participants’/consumers’ vocational skills, interests, and experiences to develop meaningful employment opportunities in an integrated setting. Employment and Training Specialists are also responsible for providing pre-vocational services to teens to prepare them for the world of work. They maintain positive communication with participants/consumers, corporate employers, non-profit organizations, CBVH staff, and HKSB employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for the development and execution of function/program within his/her span of control in accordance with HKS’ Mission and Strategic Objectives. Specifically, responsible for:

+ 1) Pre-vocational Services provide teens between the ages of 14-21 with exposure to the world of work and address their social, mobility, and daily living skills. Programs will be conducted at Hempstead, Islandia and Brooklyn. (Pre-vocational planning and services should consume 6- 8 weeks out of the year.)

+ 2) Coordinate participation of other disciplines in pre-vocational services, organize and plan career exploration activities and trips, and develop next steps.

+ 3) Assess participant’s/consumer’s vocational skills, interests, experiences, needs and appropriate services via a review of previous case documents and reports.

+ 4) Ensure that participant’s employment views and desires are recorded and discussed in a collaborative document.

+ 5) Assist participants in developing goals that incorporate their employment vision and are based on their holistic needs.

+ 6) Schedule in-person/virtual appointments with participants to better understand their vocational desires, abilities, challenges to employment, and needs.

+ 7) Explain the vocational rehabilitation process to participants and explain each person’s role and responsibilities.

+ 8) Assess their interpersonal skills in a one-to-one setting and group setting, either in person or using a virtual format. Engage participants in creative ways that provide vocational opportunities to enhance their confidence levels.

+ 9) Train and facilitate our Employment Empowerment Groups (Soft Skills) and our Foundations (holistic work readiness) program in all Helen Keller locations either in person or utilizing a virtual platform. These workshops will help our vocational participants to refine their communication skills and to provide them with an understanding of the workplace.

+ 10) Coordinate participation in other disciplines (SW, O & M, VRT, ATC) in pre-vocational services, organize and plan career exploration activities and trips, and develop next steps.

+ 11) Coordination of all aspects of the adult vocational/employment process such as a job placement assessment, work experience training, job seeking, and job development services for assigned consumers/participants.

+ 12) Encourage and assist our participants in becoming dependable, problem-solving, team players who are as independent as possible in their place of employment.

+ 13) Conduct all programs in Brooklyn, Hempstead, and Islandia.

+ 14) Monitor participant’s on-the-job performance with the supervisor via on-site visits, email, telephone and or a virtual platform.

+ 15) Establish a rapport with NYSCB counselors and professionally communicate verbally or in a written format regarding services that are being provided for their participants.

+ 16) Perform case management services required with opening and closing participant cases. This includes all work required on InFormed.

+ 17) Maintain a monthly roster and calendar of services provided to participants and any associated reporting.

+ 18) Attend all HKSB staff meetings and any meeting or training that the Director of Comprehensive Services or the Associate Executive Director deems appropriate.

+ 19) Assist in obtaining contract goals.

+ 20) All placement staff are expected to travel and perform services in our Brooklyn, Hempstead and Islandia offices, and to visit WET and competitive placement sites, and attend meetings, training courses, and conferences.

+ 21)During a crisis situation certain aspect of our training curriculum can be provided remotely, utilizing a virtual format. However, a face-to-face meeting with consumers/participants must be conducted to close authorizations as per the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB).

All Employment and Training staff are expected to travel and perform services in our Brooklyn, Hempstead, and Islandia offices, and visit WET and competitive employment job sites, and attend meetings, trainings, and conferences.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

BA in the field of human services (sociology, psychology), or human resource experience, and or job coaching and development experience

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (C. R.C.) - Preferred

POSITION BENEFITS

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package after meeting the hours worked requirement.

this position is Part- Time 28h a week.