Employment Specialist

Description

• Location: Trumbull, CT, with statewide travel required based on program and participant needs.
• Pay: $19.00 - $24.00 per hour
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, hourly
• Job Type: Full-time, Part-time
• Work Setting: Community-based, employer sites, and other locations based on participant and program needs.
• Shift and Schedule: Variable based on program and participant needs; day, evening, and occasional weekend availability may be required.

About The Kennedy Collective

The Kennedy Collective is a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, veterans, and individuals facing barriers to employment. Our work spans Program Services, Social Enterprises, Workforce Development, Mobility & Travel Training Services, and Administration, creating pathways for people to flourish and thrive.

The Opportunity

As an Employment Specialist , you will help individuals identify, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment while building relationships with employers throughout the community. This role goes beyond traditional job coaching. You will actively engage employers, develop employment opportunities, help individuals identify and overcome barriers to work, and provide individualized support throughout the employment process. Depending on program assignment, you may serve individuals participating in ISE, T2E, BRS, DMHAS, Ticket to Work, or other employment programs. The Kennedy Collective is consolidating these employment programs under one Employment Specialist position with consistent core responsibilities, regardless of the specific program or funding source.

What You Will Do

• •Develop employment opportunities by identifying prospective employers, conducting employer outreach, building professional relationships, and connecting qualified individuals with competitive employment opportunities.
• •Support job seekers in identifying career interests, strengths, employment goals, skills, and potential barriers to successful employment.
• •Prepare individuals for employment through résumé development, applications, interview preparation, job-search strategies, workplace expectations, and other individualized employment-readiness activities.
• •Provide individualized job coaching and workplace support to help individuals learn job duties, meet employer expectations, build natural supports, and increase independence.
• •Engage and partner with employers to understand workforce needs, identify potential employment opportunities, support successful placements, and maintain positive ongoing relationships.
• •Help individuals navigate benefits and employment decisions , including understanding how employment may interact with benefits, available work incentives, and other resources appropriate to their circumstances.
• •Identify and reduce employment barriers by connecting individuals with transportation, benefits, community resources, accommodations, technology, training, and other supports that promote successful employment.
• •Support work-life management by helping individuals develop strategies for scheduling, transportation, workplace communication, attendance, problem-solving, and other factors that contribute to sustained employment.
• •Coordinate services with individuals, employers, families, referral sources, government agencies, and other authorized members of the individual's employment or support team.
• •Maintain accurate and timely documentation , including service notes, employment outcomes, employer contacts, program data, billing documentation, and other records required by the applicable funding source or program.
• •Travel throughout the community to meet with individuals, conduct employer outreach, visit employment sites, and provide services where they are needed.

For a complete list of job duties and responsibilities, please click here to view the full job description

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• •High school diploma or GED.
• •Valid driver's license and a driving record that meets organizational requirements.
• •Ability to travel regularly to employer, community, school, and program locations.
• •Ability to work independently, organize daily responsibilities, communicate concerns, and complete required documentation.
• •Basic computer skills, including email and electronic documentation.
• •Ability to satisfy applicable pre-employment and ongoing background-screening requirements.
• •Ability to complete and maintain training and certifications required by The Kennedy Collective or the assigned Workforce program.
• •Willingness and eligibility to complete federal suitability screening when assigned to SSA Ticket to Work Employment Network services.

Preferred

• •Experience in employment services, job development, job coaching, workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, education, human services, or a related setting.
• •Experience helping individuals prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment.
• •Experience building relationships with employers or community partners.
• •CPR/First Aid or other relevant program-specific training, or the ability to obtain it within the timeframe established by The Kennedy Collective.

Physical Requirements

• •Regularly move between employer locations, community settings, schools, offices, program sites, and vehicles.
• •Regularly sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday.
• •Bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and use stairs as needed to observe, demonstrate, or support workplace activities.
• •Demonstrate or model job duties and work-related tasks based on the employment setting and individual support needs.
• •Frequently use a keyboard, mouse, telephone, computer screen, and mobile device for communication and documentation.
• •Drive for work and remain seated in a vehicle for periods associated with travel between assignments.
• •Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds in connection with program materials, workplace activities, or assigned job-coaching duties.
• •Communicate effectively by speaking, hearing, reading, and writing while monitoring workplace activity and safety.
• •Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

• •Works in employer locations, schools, community workplaces, organizational offices, program environments, public settings, and vehicles.
• •Regular travel between organizational, employer, community, school, and program locations is required.
• •Regularly interacts with individuals served, employers, coworkers, supervisors, families, school personnel, referral sources, funders, and community partners.
• •May work in changing weather, traffic, noise, production, retail, office, hospitality, or other work-site conditions based on the assignment.
• •Must follow the safety, confidentiality, conduct, dress, and access requirements of assigned employer and community sites.
• •Work hours vary by assigned Workforce program and may be adjusted to support employer schedules, interviews, onboarding, job coaching, workplace training, and retention services.
• •Early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday availability may occasionally be required based on program, employer, or individual needs.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation

• •Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, the approved Workforce compensation structure, and applicable organizational compensation practices.
• •The approved hourly range must be added before the position is posted.
• •This position is classified as Non-Exempt and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and organizational policy.

Benefits

Eligible employees may participate in The Kennedy Collective's comprehensive benefits program, subject to plan eligibility requirements, which may include:

• •Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• •Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, where applicable
• •Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• •Retirement savings