Accountability:

The Employment/Accommodation Specialist (EAS) works to establish meaningful relationships with area employers and serves the needs of the employers and program participants with disabilities in the Rockford, IL and Beloit, WI areas. This role is responsible for providing case management services and assisting participants with developing a person-centered job placement plan with input from the participant and their team. The EAS will provide job development and placement services in order for the participant to find a job of choice. The EAS will work to assist the employer and participant with disabilities to create solutions and accommodations to eliminate barriers to employment. The EAS will assist with meeting program goals and outcomes. The EAS works closely with the District Lead to accomplish program goals.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

Community Engagement

• Establish relationships and maintain close contact with area employers for job development and placement opportunities.
• Communicate effectively with collaborating agencies including the Division of Rehabilitation Services (Illinois).
• Be responsive to the inquiries and needs of area employers as they relate to program services.

Case Management

• Ensure employer and participants’ needs are met.
• Instruct participants in job seeking and job retention skills.
• Attend interviews and orientations with participants in the community.
• Provide on-going case management services including resource referrals for participants.
• Assist the participants with developing, implementing, and monitoring Individual Employment Plans (IPP) by establishing agreed upon goals.
• Encourage and attend job fairs and career exploration events with participants.
• Serves participants in and around Rock County, WI and Winnebago County, IL.
• Meet with Illinois DRS SEP and Wisconsin DVR program participants weekly and assist with finding employment through job development activities. 
•  Create effective solutions and accommodations for individuals with barriers to employment.

Operational Excellence

• Responsible for enforcing program guidelines and following policies.
• Maintain participant files in compliance with program requirements and guidelines.  Ensuring all documentation in ETO (case management system) is completed timely.
• Maintains high levels of computer literacy, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, spreadsheets, managing computer files, finding and communicating information, and presentations.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect participants’ Personal Identifying Information (PII) as required by law.
• Complete ACRE training and become a Certified Employment Support Professional by the first year of employment

The above-listed responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or duties required. Incumbents will be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

Environment:

The work is conducted in a Goodwill retail store, which is an environment with background noise and activity. The EAS will also meet offsite with DRS SEP and Wisconsin DVR participants in the community at local employers. Travel in and around Rockford, IL and Beloit, WI is required.  This position requires working a combination of days and nights with some weekends and holidays.  The role involves computer-based tasks, meetings, and collaboration with colleagues.

Sensory and Physical Requirements:

Ability to efficiently and effectively perform all functions of the job. Ability to clearly communicate program details and information to both funders and the public. Ability to travel frequently between locations in Rockford, IL and Beloit, WI. 

Characteristic Functions:

• Exercise strong and sound judgment in working with participants with disabilities
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Must be compassionate, reliable, trustworthy, and have the ability to maintain high confidentiality
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible with participants and company needs
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate the benefits of the Supported Employment and Job Placement Programs to employers and deliver on promises.
• Ability to create innovative solutions for business and participants with disabilities

Principal Challenges:

• Working with multiple participants with various barriers to employment.

Disclaimer:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the employee's supervisor.  Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to perform this job successfully.  The incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently.  All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who represent a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Goodwill of Northern Illinois is an equal opportunity employer.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.  The employment relationship is at will.