Department: Community Employment Services
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: CES Coordinator
Description of Company:
Chinook Enterprises is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1980. We are a non-profit designed to operate as a business, but with a social mission: supporting full participation in community life for people with disabilities or other barriers. Full participation must start with successful employment.
About the Position:
The Employment Specialist I (ES-I) position is an entry level full time or part-time professional staff position functioning within the Community Employment Services Department of the agency and comes under the direct supervision of the CES Coordinator. The ES-I works with individuals having a diversity of disabilities and other vocational barriers. The ES-I works primarily with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) clientele but may also work with other funding sources. The ES-I is responsible for job training and follow up support services for persons who are employed in community businesses as well as job development activities. The ES-I also serves in a critical public relations capacity, interfacing and educating persons in the business community, other service agencies and general community.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Collects, organizes, and analyses information about individuals served through records, tests, interviews and professional sources, to appraise their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for vocational planning.
- Compile and study occupational, educational and economic information to aid customer in making and carrying out vocational objectives.
- Provide customer screening and placement services, including resume development, job assessments and job screening.
- Provide customer specific and generic job development for unemployed and/or under employed customers.
- Develops customized (carved) employment opportunities for customers when appropriate.
- Provide one on one job coaching and training for customers at job sites.
- Provides long term support to businesses and individuals with disabilities on work sites on a regularly scheduled basis.
- Develops Individualized Career Path Plans and Six-Month Reviews of progress for assigned customers from DDA. As needed, receives assistance from Lead staff with these duties.
- Engages in follow-up activities to evaluate placement, training, and job development techniques (making or arranging accommodations, writing task analysis, etc.).
- Attend meetings with others in Department and Agency to facilitate active communications and clarity in goals and objectives.
- Writes and maintains documentation such as case notes, reports, evaluations, billings, etc.
- Accurately tracks billable service hours in a timely manner.
- Advocates for customers with employers and other service providers, community services etc.
- Assist customers in understanding and overcoming social and emotional problems that present barriers to competitive employment.
- Transport customers to and from work, assessments, interviews, etc. as needed on a temporary basis. Ongoing transportation is not a responsibility of this position and must be arranged for customers through other sources.
- Attend meetings and make phone calls to other service providers.
- As needed, prepare customers for return to work by engaging in activities such as shopping for appropriate work attire, bus training, purchasing supplies, etc.
- Assists customers with travel training when needed.
- Provides a safe, trusting and confidential environment for all customers.
- Engages in follow-up activities to evaluate placement, and overall satisfaction with services.
- Routinely initiates ideas/solutions to caseload problems of self and others.
- Other duties as assigned.
Essential Skills and Abilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of…
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must possess independent decision-making skills.
- Must display initiative, ability to learn, flexibility, integrity, and self-discipline.
- Ability to act with professionalism and confidentiality.
- Must have strong time management skills: prioritizing multiple tasks and structuring own work schedule around the needs of customers.
- Must present and maintain a professional image to consumers, all funding sources and the business community.
- Must be able to develop and maintain productive business relationships with different types of employers and possess good public relations skills.
- Ability to maintain education and knowledge of field through agency sponsored training activities.
- Must be willing to work non-standard working hours when consumer training needs demand (nights, weekends).
- Must possess the belief that individuals with severe disabilities can succeed vocationally in the business community with the right types of supports. This is one of the most critical aspects of this position.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a learning environment.
- Self-aware, accountable, and motivated.
- Creative problem-solver.
- Must possess good judgment and critical thinking abilities.
- Must consistently demonstrate “customer-first” thinking and be committed to serving a diverse clientele; treating all customers with dignity and respect at all times.
- After six months on the job, maintains a minimum average billing (direct service) rate of above 70% of work time.
- Ability to adhere to corporate policies as detailed in the Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software with the ability to learn to utilize new technologies.
Position Requirements:
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.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Special Education or related field.
- A minimum of one years’ experience in the field of Disability Support, Employment Services, supporting underserved communities, or related experience.
- A combination of experience and education may be substituted for these requirements.
Certificates
- Required Washington State Driver’s license, basic vehicle liability insurance and be insurable.
- Required to submit and pass a Washington State Patrol background check as well as a DSHS background check.
- Must have, or obtain, a CPR certificate within 30 days of employment or current certification upon hire.
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move 20-30 pounds. The employee is regularly required to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods of time. The employee must be able to access and navigate each business offsite as required for training and site support needs. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, squat or crouch.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely indoors in an office type setting. The employee regularly meets and interacts with current and prospective customers and stakeholders in the office and in the community. The employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts or outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is generally low.
TO APPLY
- We are committed to adding voices to our team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We encourage black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), military veterans and spouses, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ identifying individuals, and those with work gaps to apply and help us in our vision to realize a community that celebrates inclusion and diversity through innovative leadership and partnerships.
- To learn more about us, the position and to apply, please visit https://chinookenterprises.org/careers-at-chinook
- Download our application and submit it with your Cover Letter and Resume through our website. Or apply in person at: Chinook Enterprises, 2026 Laventure Rd. Mt Vernon, WA 98273
SALARY & BENEFITS
Level 1 Starting Wage: $20.68 – 22.98 per hour DOE
Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package, including full coverage on medical, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) matching retirement, 10 paid holidays, 160 hours of paid vacation, paid sick leave, an optional vision benefit that is available at a low cost, voluntary life insurance, dependent care FSA, tuition reimbursement program, quarterly incorporate massage and company provided mental fitness app Nivati. We have a great culture, flexibility, and offer training and development opportunities.
Job Announcement: https://chinookenterprises.org/position-opening-employment-specialist-level-i-ii/
