[Tn-talk] position saught: Independent Living & Employment Specialist

[Sheri Anderson]

Empower TN, formerly the Center for Independent Living of Middle TN,
is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Independent
Living & Employment Specialist. For consideration, applicants should
submit a cover letter, including salary requirements, and professional
resume to Heidi Oechsel, Associate Director, at careers at empowertn.org.
No phone calls please. Application deadline: June 30, 2016.

TITLE: 		Independent Living & Employment Specialist
POSITION: 	Regular, Full-Time, Salaried, Non-Exempt
SUPERVISOR: 	Associate Director

SUMMARY:
The Independent Living & Employment (ILE) Specialist is tasked with
implementing programs to promote meaningful employment opportunities
for people with disabilities through education, training, and linkage
activities. Likewise, the ILE Specialist is charged with educating and
liaising with local employers and community groups on the benefits and
considerations of hiring people with disabilities. The ILE Specialist
is responsible for incorporating the Independent Living Philosophy in
all aspects of interaction with clients (i.e. client-directed goal
setting and dignity of risk). The ILE Specialist is expected to
represent and advocate for Empower TN in relevant community settings
and to foster meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations
and individuals in the achievement of strategic goals. The ILE
Specialist exhibits the values of empowerment, partnership, fairness,
accountability, sustainability, and knowledge in all areas of the
position.

DUTIES:
Specific:
1.	Triage and assess client needs for IL services; and when
appropriate, make referrals, assist in individual goal setting, and
empower clients to access available resources;
2.	Coordinate and maintain Empower TN’s successful standing as an
Employment Network, including, but not limited to: updating company
information, maintain contact with contracted agents, submitting
client pay records for outcome payments, and tracking client progress
in the Ticket to Work program;
3.	Coordinate individual and/or group IL skills training programs to
enhance clients’ opportunities to achieve employment goals;
4.	Develop and monitor individual employment/work plans that reflect
client goals for employment;
5.	Refer clients to benefits counseling to determine how employment
will affect benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) in order for clients
to make informed choices about work goals;
6.	Provide education and support to employers to secure partnerships
with employers for successful job placement for clients;
7.	Innovatively develop and implement employment-oriented services
targeted to transition age youth (ages 14-22);
8.	Assist other agency staff, as needed, in the implementation of
programming outside the scope of individual program responsibility;
9.	Coordinate with program volunteers/students, as needed, to
effectively integrate program goals with an engaged and meaningful
experience;
10.	Document all program activities and client interactions per
established timelines and standards.

General:
1.	Adheres to organization policy and procedures;
2.	Participates in organization meetings and events, as directed/requested;
3.	Represent organization in inter-organizational or community
meetings, as assigned;
4.	Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or agency.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1.	Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, occupational therapy,
special education, or related field(s), required;
2.	Three years of professional experience within the disability
community, required;
3.	Extensive knowledge of, and ability to link clients with, community
resources, particularly local employment services, required;
4.	Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, required;
5.	Disciplined, self-motivated, and cooperative work ethic, required;
6.	Flexibility regarding work schedule to accommodate program needs, required;
7.	Working knowledge of and skill with computer systems/applications, required;
8.	Regular access to reliable transportation, required;
9.	Ability to pass high-level security clearance via an extensive
background check, required;
10.	Demonstrated innovation in program development and implementation,
preferred;
11.	Fluency in language beyond English (including ASL), preferred.


Posted qualifications serve as a guide for candidate review and are
not fixed in stone. Empower TN reserves the right to deviate from
posted credentials in determining what combination of candidate
education, experience and skills are best suited to a position.

Empower TN is an equal provider of services and an equal opportunity employer—
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.