Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer

ADAPT Community Network is looking for an Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer who can help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities explore their talents build small business ideas and create meaningful pathways to income independence and community connection.

If you understand how to develop a small business coach someone through an idea think creatively about marketing and believe that everyone deserves the chance to build something of their own this role may be for you!

Why Join ADAPT

Its more than a job; its a calling. Its where passion meets purpose. ADAPT Community Network formerly United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of NYC provides a multitude of services to people with developmental disabilities. At ADAPT we are 3000 strong and it takes every one of us to empower the lives of the people we support. With caring and great resources at hand we know what it takes to help people live fuller happier healthier lives. Our employees show their commitment to the people we support every day and we all deliver on our promise to provide innovative and comprehensive services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

For your next career move apply with us at ADAPT Community Network! Wherever you work among our many locations around New York City ADAPT offers paid training competitive benefits and we foster a team culture of learning support collaboration and career growth.

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Coordinator of Operations and Supported Employment leadership team the Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer is responsible for developing coordinating and supporting person-centered self-employment micro-enterprise consulting and entrepreneurship opportunities for people supported. This position assists individuals to explore business ideas develop realistic business plans build skills access supports launch pilot opportunities and sustain meaningful income-generating activities that align with their employment goals interests strengths and support needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer will include but are not limited to the following:

• Identifies people supported who may be interested in self-employment micro-enterprise consulting creative business or non-traditional employment opportunities.
• Conducts person-centered discovery to understand each individuals interests strengths talents communication style support needs preferred work routines and employment goals.
• Develops individualized business plans that include the business concept target customers pricing startup needs support plan marketing strategy benefits considerations risk factors and measurable milestones.
• Provides coaching in business readiness communication customer service scheduling money management product development quality control marketing technology use and follow-through.
• Supports individuals in safely and professionally developing visibility through appropriate social media online marketplace digital storytelling community showcase or vendor opportunities.
• Builds partnerships with internal departments local businesses community organizations markets creative spaces accessibility partners technology partners and other potential collaborators.
• Coordinates with Supported Employment Day Habilitation Residential Smart Living Center TechWorks clinical finance human resources quality and compliance teams as needed.
• Ensures entrepreneurship and self-employment activities are connected to the persons employment goals service plan business plan documentation and measurable outcomes.
• Maintains accurate records progress summaries business plan updates coaching notes partnership trackers and outcome reports.
• Assists with staff training referral tools coaching guides and program materials that support consistent identification and development of self-employment opportunities.
• Track and evaluate program outcomes to identify opportunities to entrepreneurship and improve self-employment services.
• Keeps abreast of developments in supported employment entrepreneurship self-employment customized employment accessibility technology and community-based business opportunities.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelors degree in human services vocational rehabilitation business education social work psychology disability services or a related field preferred.
• Experience in supported employment vocational services workforce development entrepreneurship small business development disability services or community-based program development preferred.
• Experience supporting people with intellectual developmental physical or communication disabilities preferred.
• Experience with social media online marketplaces product sales community events vendor fairs digital media accessibility consulting or creative enterprise models preferred.
• Familiarity with OPWDD services SEMP documentation person-centered planning benefits planning or employment-first practices preferred.
• Knowledge of small business development entrepreneurship self-employment job development or customized employment practices.
• Ability to help individuals move from idea development to planning launch and ongoing support.
• Strong coaching communication organization documentation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to develop accessible tools plain-language materials and person-centered business planning resources.
• Understanding marketing customer engagement basic pricing online visibility and community partnership development.
• Commitment to dignity choice inclusion disability rights economic self-determination and meaningful community-based employment.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with people supported families staff community partners and leadership.
• Ability to read write speak and understand English.
• Travel across the five boroughs of New York City may be required.

COMPENSATION: $60000 - $65000 Annually Industry-Leading Benefits for all full-time employees.

At ADAPT we value diversity equity inclusion accessibility and belonging. We strive to ensure that our employees are comfortable bringing their whole authentic self to work and that the people we support can also be their authentic selves. We value diverse backgrounds opinions ideas and ways of thinking. We aim to build an inclusive and diverse workforce that is empowered and supported with leaders who create diverse and inclusive teams. We continuously seek opportunities for the organization to foster a more positive respected united and collaborative culture.

ADAPT Community Network is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and status are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.