Placement Specialist

Job Details: Job Location: Cleveland, OH 44103 - VGS - Cleveland, OH, Education Level: Bachelor's Degree, Salary Range: $18.00 - $19.25Hourly, Travel Percentage: Up to 75%, Job Shift: Other - see details in job posting, Shift: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Location: 2239 E. 55th St. Cleveland, OH 44103

Travel Expectations: Regular travel throughout Cuyahoga and Lorain County, could be up to 75%

Vocational Guidance Services (VGS) changes lives and strengthens our communities through services that educate, empower, and provide the opportunity to earn a paycheck! VGS is a highly acclaimed, successful, private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) vocational rehabilitation agency with over 135 years of dedicated experience serving persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment. We are currently seeking to hire a Placement Specialist to perform the following job duties:

Work with Individuals

Develop Work Adjustment and Community Based Work Adjustment opportunities for program participants as prescribed by the referring counselor in accordance with program participant's vocational goal.

Complete vocational authorizations for various types of work a program participant may be interested in.

Work to ensure appropriate Job Coach coverage at work sites. Act as a backup for Job Coaches when necessary.

Coach participants on how to independently conduct employment activities. This includes helping each individual access job opportunities, construct their resume, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, and follow-up after interviews.

Develop and implement an individual written "Placement Success Plan" for each program participant in concurrence with program participant and referring counselor. This plan is reviewed on a regular basis and revised accordingly in agreement with all parties.

Meet regularly with program participants to review progress and update the Placement Success Plan as needed.

Prepare and finalize participant's resume.

Develop, coordinate, and provide training on Pre-ETS services in Northeast Ohio at participating schools and expand services.

Provide Pre-ETS services based on the authorization provided by the referral source.

Selectively match and help place program participants with suitable, competitive employment commensurate with their vocational goals, interests, aptitudes, skills and limitations.

Arrange job interviews. When necessary, accompany individual to interview.

Utilize a team approach to planning, developing, implementing, and monitoring placement activities for program participant.

Analyze jobs on site and make specific recommendations for job accommodations and modifications/assistive technology if needed for specific program participants.

Provide post employment retention services following job placement for a 90 day period or as determined by the OODVR Manual.

Conduct follow-up activities as required to evaluate the effectiveness of job development and placement services.

Honors individual preferences and actively elicits input from program participants.

Work with Community Employers

Obtain written job orders that explain the duties of the position, educational requirements, and other needs of the employer.

Actively market placement services to the business community through in-person, written and telephone communications.

Establish ongoing professional relationships with employers to respond appropriately to their hiring needs as well as develop job opportunities for program participants that are conducive to their vocational goals, experience, qualifications, and interests.

Support the achievement of successful outcomes in Work Adjustments and Community Based Assessment.

Advocate with local employers on behalf of program participants.

Work with Referral Sources

Recruit service participants from OOD, BWC/MCO, VA, etc. for Career Exploration (CE), Work Adjustment (WA), Community Base Work Adjustment (CBWA), Community Based Assessment (CBA), Job Readiness Training (JRT), Summer Youth Work Experience (SYWE) and job placement services.

Maintain frequent contact with the referring counselor in order to advise program participant through phone calls, emails, faxes, reports, and meetings.

Set up and conduct staffing meetings with program participant and referring counselor to resolve difficulties or differences of opinion.

Documentation

Maintain case files and other documentation according to the funding source, CARF, government, and agency requirements.

Prepare and submit accurate and timely billing reports to referring agencies to ensure 100% payment for all services provided. When billing issues do arise, work with referring counselors to promptly resolve these. The sum of any bills that are not paid within 90 days will not count toward your performance goals.

Using identified case management systems writes detailed and accurate case notes on placement activities for each assigned program participant.

Records all employer contacts, job orders, interviews, and placements.

Work closely with professional rehabilitation staff throughout the agency to provide feedback regarding employment opportunities, labor market trends, employer attitudes, etc., necessary for vocational planning.

General

Continue personal, professional development by attending seminars and workshops and joining professional organizations.

Participate as an active member of the Placement team; communicates thoroughly with all parties involved.

Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that gets along with customers, vendors, clients, program participants, co-workers, and supervisors.

Conduct follow-up activities as required to evaluate the effectiveness of job development and placement services.

Provides back-up and support services for staff that are ill or on vacation.

Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.

Follows agency safety policies and maintaining a safe work environment.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or two years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of the two. Demonstrated skills in salesmanship and marketing.
CESP upon hire is preferred.  Must obtain a CESP certification within 18 months of employment.  
Demonstrated ability in assessing and properly matching worker's traits and personality with employer's needs and demands.
Basic knowledge of computer operations, and Microsoft software applications including Word, Excel, and Access.
Must have clean background check and subject to Medicaid requirements.
Must have reliable transportation.

Vocational Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability & Veterans.