Employment Specialist

Department: Program Services
Reports To: Director of Dove Employment Services (DES)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Position Summary

The Employment Specialist is responsible for assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining meaningful, integrated community employment. This position provides individualized employment services, including job development, job placement, training, advocacy, and ongoing support. The Employment Specialist serves as a liaison between individuals served, employers, community partners, and support teams to promote successful employment outcomes and long-term job retention.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employment Development & Placement

• Coordinate and deliver community employment services for individuals with disabilities.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of employment opportunities and work environments to identify appropriate job matches based on an individual's interests, abilities, strengths, and support needs.
• Perform job development activities, including job analysis, participant assessments, community resource assessments, and compatibility analyses.
• Develop employment opportunities and coordinate job placement activities within integrated community settings.
• Provide training, guidance, and ongoing support necessary to promote successful employment outcomes and job retention.
• Maintain an average of 85% client-specific work per week, as determined by the Director of Dove Employment Services.

Job Training & Support Services

• Provide individualized job-site training utilizing systematic instruction techniques and evidence-based support strategies.
• Collect, interpret, and utilize performance data to measure progress and ensure successful skill acquisition.
• Implement systematic fading techniques to promote independence and long-term employment success.
• Assess ongoing support needs and provide retraining and employment supports as necessary, at a minimum of twice monthly, until transition to a Job Coach or as otherwise directed.
• Maintain regular communication with both employers and employees to ensure job satisfaction, workplace success, and effective problem resolution.

Community Advocacy & Collaboration

• Advocate for individuals served by promoting integrated employment opportunities and inclusion within the community.
• Communicate and collaborate with family members, support teams, employers, and other significant individuals involved in the participant's life to support successful employment outcomes.
• Coordinate community resources and supports that contribute to employment stability and career growth.
• Serve as a liaison between Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), community employers, and Dove Employment Services to address concerns and ensure quality service delivery.

Assessment, Documentation & Case Management

• Conduct ongoing assessments and evaluations of participant performance and employment outcomes.
• Collect and maintain accurate performance data and employer feedback regarding individuals served.
• Coordinate and facilitate case management activities, case reviews, evaluations, and service planning.
• Ensure the implementation and monitoring of employment goals and future planning activities for assigned caseloads.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and current program records and employment documentation through transition to a Job Coach.
• Assist in maintaining records and documentation in compliance with agency policies, ISO standards, funding requirements, and departmental procedures.

Professional Responsibilities

• Promote a positive and professional image of KCARC and Dove Employment Services in all interactions with participants, families, employers, and community partners.
• Support the health, safety, and well-being of individuals served by following all agency policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Attend and actively participate in required staff meetings, professional development opportunities, seminars, conferences, and in-service training sessions.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in all aspects of service delivery.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.
• Work additional hours, including overtime, as required to meet operational needs.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to travel throughout the community to support individuals at employment sites and community locations.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and perform routine physical activities associated with service delivery and community-based employment support.

Disclaimer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

KCARC reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description as necessary to meet organizational and operational needs. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Employees may be required to perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Nothing contained in this job description shall be construed as creating an employment contract, express or implied. Employment with KCARC remains at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or KCARC at any time, with or without cause or notice.

Improvements Made

Professional Structure: Organized responsibilities into Employment Development, Training & Support, Community Advocacy, Case Management, and Professional Responsibilities.

Person-Centered Focus: Emphasized individualized supports, integrated employment, and community inclusion.

Enhanced Readability: Streamlined repetitive language and organized duties into logical categories for easier review by applicants and hiring managers.

Industry-Aligned Terminology: Incorporated terminology commonly used in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, and disability services while preserving the original intent of the position.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet departmental and operational needs, including overtime as required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with coworkers, supervisors, and customers.
• Ability to actively listen, interpret instructions, and respond appropriately to workplace needs and expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds using professionalism, tact, empathy, and respect.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrates accountability, initiative, and leadership in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and productivity in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive business information.
• Adaptable and open to change, with a willingness to embrace new processes, technologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in needle trades manufacturing, industrial sewing, textile production, or a related manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience operating production equipment and meeting quality and productivity standards is beneficial.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

• None required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to frequently alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand, wrist, arm, and upper-body movements associated with sewing and manufacturing operations.
• Frequent bending, twisting, turning, reaching, lifting, and handling of materials may be required.
• Ability to safely operate equipment and perform production tasks while maintaining quality and efficiency standards.
• Must possess the physical stamina necessary to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and perform the essential duties of the position.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with ongoing exposure to production equipment, machinery, and industrial work processes.
• Noise levels may vary from moderate to loud depending on production activity.
• Employees are expected to comply with all safety policies, procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements as applicable.
• The position requires attention to detail and the ability to maintain productivity, quality, and safety standards while working in a fast-paced production setting.

Improvements Made

Professional Tone: Enhanced the language to align with manufacturing industry and HR best practices.

Stronger Competency Focus: Emphasized communication, teamwork, accountability, confidentiality, adaptability, and organizational skills.

Improved Readability: Organized qualifications into clear sections for applicants and hiring managers to review easily.

Manufacturing-Specific Language: Tailored the physical demands and work environment sections to better reflect sewing and production operations while maintaining professional and compliant wording.