Employment Specialist
Employment Specialist
Posted on :
11-06-2025
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1 Vacancy
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Job Description
Position Title: Employment Specialist- Project Search
Location: Marquardt Village Watertown WI
Reports To: Employment Services Manager
Status: 35-40 hours per week with some fluctuation
Pay: $19- $21 / Hour
FLSA Status: Not applicable
Are you seeking a role that brings purpose to your life Would you like to wake up every day knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities Are you ready to join a team that genuinely cares for its staff and has an exceptional culture If this sounds like you read on for an exciting opportunity to join us at the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin!
Summary:
The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a statewide volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities as well as their families through education awareness information programs services and the exchange of ideas and experiences.
DSAW offers programs and services throughout the lifespan including Parents First Call for new and expectant parents childrens services adult services vocational services and aging services as well as educational opportunities and events.
DSAW currently has a Project SEARCH Employment Specialist opportunity in Jefferson County. In coordination with the Project SEARCH instructor the Employment Specialist provides training and support for Project SEARCH interns and host business mentors at the host site. They help facilitate the training and integration of consumers with disabilities in a worksite internship and/or competitive work environment. This is a combination position responsible for assisting with classroom instruction with study time as well as during their practical experience rotations as well as working with individuals to acquire and maintain competitive employment in the community for which the Employment Specialist will focus on building relationships with employers and other agencies to develop jobs for consumers and help consumers retain these jobs.
While this role will be based in Jefferson County the Employment Specialist may also be needed to work in surrounding communities not necessarily limited to Jefferson County.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Project SEARCH Skills Coordination
Job Development
Minimum Qualifications
Interpersonal
Education/Experience
Physical and Environmental Requirements
While performing the duties of this job the Employment Specialist will be required to use their hands and fingers to handle or feel objects; reach with their hands and arms; and speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk climb stairs kneel stoop and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing. The Employment Specialist may be required to work evenings weekends or irregular hours and must regularly interact with coworkers and the public.
Compensation
Bilingual are highly encouraged to apply. This is an hourly position.
Benefits for Full-Time Employees
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race color national origin disability age religion or any other protected basis as provided by law.
Location: Marquardt Village Watertown WI
Reports To: Employment Services Manager
Status: 35-40 hours per week with some fluctuation
Pay: $19- $21 / Hour
FLSA Status: Not applicable
Are you seeking a role that brings purpose to your life Would you like to wake up every day knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities Are you ready to join a team that genuinely cares for its staff and has an exceptional culture If this sounds like you read on for an exciting opportunity to join us at the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin!
Summary:
The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a statewide volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities as well as their families through education awareness information programs services and the exchange of ideas and experiences.
DSAW offers programs and services throughout the lifespan including Parents First Call for new and expectant parents childrens services adult services vocational services and aging services as well as educational opportunities and events.
DSAW currently has a Project SEARCH Employment Specialist opportunity in Jefferson County. In coordination with the Project SEARCH instructor the Employment Specialist provides training and support for Project SEARCH interns and host business mentors at the host site. They help facilitate the training and integration of consumers with disabilities in a worksite internship and/or competitive work environment. This is a combination position responsible for assisting with classroom instruction with study time as well as during their practical experience rotations as well as working with individuals to acquire and maintain competitive employment in the community for which the Employment Specialist will focus on building relationships with employers and other agencies to develop jobs for consumers and help consumers retain these jobs.
While this role will be based in Jefferson County the Employment Specialist may also be needed to work in surrounding communities not necessarily limited to Jefferson County.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Project SEARCH Skills Coordination
- Provide individualized support for Project SEARCH interns during the internships at the host business while they learn and acquire competitive and marketable skills
- Initial training of internship tasks utilizing systematic instruction techniques
- Build natural supports
- Developing accommodations and identifying appropriate assistive technology
- Develop task analysis when needed to support the intern to learn and perform tasks to the required productivity and quality standards
- Identify and implement training strategies and/or services in coordination with the Project SEARCH instructor and host business staff
- In coordination with the instructor and business liaison identify and develop internship sites that offer a variety of opportunities to build marketable competitive skills that lead to employment
- Learn the host business site culture rules and expectations within each department and assist interns to understand and comply
- Consult with the host business department employees on tools and techniques that support intern learning and success
- Communicate effectively with the Project SEARCH Instructor other skills trainers internship department managers /mentors co-workers family members and school and agency personnel as it relates to the intern being trained
- Participate in training interns in the areas of grooming hygiene communication interviewing and work/social behavior as they relate to successful employment
- Assist with completing tools such as the VocFit Assessment to determine the abilities of the intern the demands of the internship tasks and help the team to make meaningful internship matches
- Assess intern progress and give feedback to the intern and team members
- Provide travel training for the intern to get to the host business independently
- Communicate with the Project SEARCH instructor about any issues that may impact an interns success at an internship or in employment. These decisions may be related to continued skills training fading behavior job tasks etc
- Submit and complete appropriate paperwork and enter data in the Member Portal
- Maintain close communication with the Employment Services Manager
- Assign and schedule consumer to staff member(s) with appropriate training hand-offs
- Participate in team meetings involving the consumer and their various team members
- Oversee the transition of the consumer to long-term support (if applicable)
- Serves as the main parent liaison
Job Development
- Build relationships with local community agencies/schools to build on employment services
- Act as a community liaison for DSAWs DVR line of business including attending relevant fairs and promotional opportunities under the direction of the Employment Services Manager
- Assist the Employment Services Manager with the implementation of new projects such as mentorship sites
- Work with the Employment Services Manager to provide all necessary information for the funder and grant reports
- Consistently model appropriate work maturity skills and hold consumers to the exact expectations
- Monitor the consumers work performance and provide feedback and prompts when needed
- Maintain and model positive professional working relationships with consumers guardians and employers
- Promote natural supports and provide training to consumers coworkers on the job
- Research and develop necessary curriculum and/or accommodations for employment skills including time management employer relations direct communication active listening and following directions.
- Communicate with employers guardians and consumers when fading on the job begins
- Attend required meetings and in-service training sessions
- Complete job coaching progress notes weekly in an electronic format
- Complete the required Division of Vocational Rehabilitation training
- Comply with documentation regulations related to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Minimum Qualifications
Interpersonal
- Must be a sensitive and mature individual who can relate well to adults
- Demonstrates warmth insight interest and respect for persons with disabilities
- Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule
- Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergency situations or behavioral situations in a calm and effective manner
- Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor
- Able to communicate effectively with consumers and employers
- Ability to multitask and adhere to timelines set forth for quality management
Education/Experience
- Highschool diploma. Bachelors degree in a related field preferred.
- 1-3 years of experience working with consumers utilizing DVR
- Comfortable with technology; thorough understanding of MS Office/G Suites Products
- Applicant must have a valid drivers license and an insured vehicle
- Applicants must pass a background check that meets State of Wisconsin requirements.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
While performing the duties of this job the Employment Specialist will be required to use their hands and fingers to handle or feel objects; reach with their hands and arms; and speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk climb stairs kneel stoop and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing. The Employment Specialist may be required to work evenings weekends or irregular hours and must regularly interact with coworkers and the public.
Compensation
Bilingual are highly encouraged to apply. This is an hourly position.
Benefits for Full-Time Employees
- Medical dental and vision insurance with access to supplemental life critical illness insurance and accident insurance
- Employer-paid disability and life insurance
- 10 days of PTO accrued in bi-weekly increments as well as 5 set holidays and five floating holidays
- Monthly phone stipend of $20/month for using personal cell phone
- Professional development stipend of $150 / year
- Laptop to complete your work
- Additional benefits include the following:
- Parental leave after one year of service
- Ongoing training opportunities sponsored by DSAW
- Employee referral program (employee will receive $50 if their referral is hired)
- Relaxed dress code at the discretion of your supervisor
- Annual off-site staff team-building activities
- 8 hours per year to volunteer
- A fantastic mission and culture!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race color national origin disability age religion or any other protected basis as provided by law.
We Make it Easy
Founded in 1901 MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4000 employers covering more than one million employees.
As one of the largest employer associations in the nation MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services information education and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.
We partner with these companies working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company not an agency recruiter.
Required Experience:
Junior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
Key Skills
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