Employment Specialist I

Reports to: Director of Adult Services

SUMMARY:

Do you want to play an integral role in a dynamic organization We are looking for an Employment Specialist 1 who wants to assist our organization. The right candidate will enjoy learning new tasks and taking on a variety of responsibilities while working in an up-beat nonprofit environment.

Sherwood Autism Center fosters a team environment you will work toward one goal: making sure our adults lead active and independent lives. Its more than a career; its a fulfilling way of life.

What is Sherwood Autism Center

Sherwood Autism Center is a non-profit committed to our mission to educate equip and empower children and adults with autism as well as other developmental disabilities to promote independence in family and community life by providing the highest quality services. Since our founding in 1974 we have evolved into a multi-faceted organization serving our community through a wide range of impactful educational vocational and behavioral health programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Effectively implement career plans and 1:1 and group activities to support individualized learning styles and promote creativity self-reliance competency and proficiency within each consumers chosen career field.
• Assist in completing assessment of individual needs and abilities career exploration and professional development in preparation for the consumer to enter the workforce.
• Complete required daily documentation including data collection on goals activity logs
• Event recording progress summaries transportation documentation and required personnel forms.
• Foster and promote a cooperative working climate maximizing productivity and employee morale.

COMPENTECIES:

Employment Specialist candidates who believe they fit Sherwood Autism Centers culture are encouraged to apply! Sherwood Autism Centers culture is described as:

• People-oriented- supportive and fairness focused
• Detail-oriented-quality and precision-focused
• Team-oriented-cooperative and collaborative

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The Employment Specialist position is located within our Adult Habilitation Department. You will be in the midst of activity and energy. This position is:

• A good fit for applicants with gaps in their resume or who have been out of the workforce for the past 6 months or more
• A good job for someone just entering the workforce or returning to the workforce with limited experience and education

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must be 18 years of age
• US work authorization
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Class E drivers license and good driving record
• Eligibility for MO Highway Patrol Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Clearance
• An important requirement for all our direct care staff: we require a successful completion of our physical fitness POET assessment prior to commencement of all applicable positions. If you do not pass we reserve the right to adjust or rescind any offers as needed.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1() year(s) experience working with individuals with Autism and/or related developmental disabilities
• Certified Job Coach or College of Employment Services through DMH (must be obtained within 30 days of employment)
• First Aid/CPR Certification (must be obtained within 90 days of employment)
• Safety Crisis Management

BENEFITS:

Sherwood Autism Center recognizes the value of benefits to our employees. We offer competitive wages and ongoing training. Full time employees are eligible for our robust comprehensive benefits program including:

• Medical Dental and Vision Insurance
• Ancillary benefit options including Voluntary Short term disability Voluntary Life and AD&D Voluntary Accident Voluntary Critical Illness and Cancer Plan Voluntary Hospital Indemnity as well as an Employee Assistance Program.
• 10 company paid holidays
• Generous PTO/Vacation
• Paid Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program with bonuses up to $500

EMPLOYMENT POLICY:

Sherwood Autism Centers policy is to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race color religion national origin ancestry marital status veteran status age disability pregnancy genetic information citizenship status sex sexual orientation gender identity or any other legally protected category. Sherwood is proud to be a drug-free workplace.

EEO STATEMENT:

Sherwood Autism Center is committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment because we know that many of the greatest ideas and discoveries as well as best examples of service come from a diverse mix of minds backgrounds and experiences. We believe that everyone is an equal member of society and should be treated with dignity respect and kindness. Because we believe inclusivity is critical to our success Sherwood provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race religion color age sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity genetic disposition neurodiversity disability veteran status or any other protected category under Federal State and local law.