Vision Services Employment Specialist

To organize, plan and implement a systematic method of identifying, contacting and maintaining rapport with area employers' job openings.  To assist visually impaired and blind individuals in securing appropriate full-time, part-time competitive supported employment.  To make efforts to market all services available through the Agency when contacting prospective employers.

1. Responsible for adherence of all requirements related to specific funding sources for Job Placement Services.  This includes maintaining necessary records, submitting weekly reports as required and providing input to referral sources regarding individual placement progress.
2. Provide local labor market information to job applicants. 
3. Provide weekly and monthly reports to Quality Assurance.
4. Attend and schedule monthly staffings.
5. Initiate contact with prospective employers to determine personnel needs and arrange interviews for applicants.
6. Provide career counseling, exploration and development to visually impaired or blind participants.
7. Assist applicants in contacting and obtaining interviews from appropriate prospective employers.
8. Help participants identify continuing barriers to employment as they may develop in the job search.
9. Maintain a close working relationship with referral agency to ensure the needs of persons referred to the agency are met.
10. Provide own transportation to visit employers and participants on site, as needed.
11. Other duties may be assigned.
12. Comply with all Agency policies, procedures and safety standards throughout work areas and maintain same to meet CARF, HIPAA, Department of Labor and other regulatory standards.

None  

A Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Business Education, Social Science or related field.  Three years of appropriate work experience can be substituted for educational requirements

Minimum of one-year experience in field of vocational rehabilitation or job development as related to visually impaired and blind individuals is preferred.  Involvement in implementation and development of training programs for adults with visual impairments and disadvantaging conditions.  Knowledge of business and industry hiring practices.   A valid driver's license and your own car are required.

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Employee must maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable to Goodwill's liability insurance provider.    If at any time the employee is unable to maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to GESMV’s liability insurance provider, they must immediately notify Human Resources.
• Must maintain the ability to pass a criminal background check and random drug screens.

1. Knowledge of business and industry hiring practices.
2. Uncompromising ethics and integrity.
3. Must have a desire to be a participating member of an organization that values employee involvement and diversity.
4. Must possess excellent customer service, time management, organizational, writing, and reading skills.
5. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
6. Must be able to interact cordially and productively with a variety of people.
7. Must be able to market Easter Seals and explain the mission to the general public.
8. Must possess good organizational and time management skills.
9. Must be able to take initiative, make decisions and work well with little supervision.
10. Must be able to keep information confidential.
11. Must be able to read, write and communicate clearly in English.

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job and/or apply for the position, absent undue hardship.This job description is not to be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform additional job- related tasks as assigned, subject to reasonable accommodation.