Community Employment Specialist 1 – Salem, OR

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Garten has an excellent opportunity to join our compassionate and hardworking team as a Community Employment Specialist 1. When you join the team at Garten, you become a part of a not-for-profit corporation that changes lives and positively impacts the community. We have a diverse employee base and operate social enterprises to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2020, we celebrated our 50th-anniversary and have operated continuously and safely throughout the pandemic.

General Position Summary:

Responsible for and provides internal case management for an assigned caseload, with duties including, but not limited to, maintaining all required documentation (i.e., case notes, safety plans, progress notes, billing tracking, etc.); acting as liaison to funding sources and circle of support as necessary to coordinate case management services.

Provides employment support services to individuals with disabilities who are pursuing employment in the community through Discovery and job coaching activities as needed. Provides vocational support to participants in preparation for community employment placement.

Ensures the satisfaction of persons supported and maintains good public relations with funding sources. This position is expected to model Garten’s Mission, Vision and Values to others in a positive manner.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Ensures/maintains internal case management through implementation, documentation and tracking of ISP/VR goals and documents progress and activities as needed.
Coaches, develops, and motivates program participants in accordance with their written plan in order to improve performance and prepare for higher level jobs.
Provides in the field support to persons supported within the program.
Responds in a timely manner to support individual on-the-job needs as requested.
Develops and maintains proactive and positive relationships with all customers, (i.e., DD Services, Marion County Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, and other community partners) funding sources, and circle of support.
Facilitates Team meetings as assigned.
Facilitates and participates in Committee meetings as assigned.
Maintains effective communication with other staff as required.
Ensures all recordkeeping for caseload is current and accurate.
Ensures billing is accurate and completed in a timely manner.
Ensures confidentiality of individuals receiving services from Garten.
Ensures compliance with Garten policies and safety and security standards.
May provide on-going follow-up with employers, as assigned, to ensure customer. satisfaction and successfully resolve complaints.
Acts as a positive role model for others.

Secondary Functions:

Communicates with other employment team members (internal and external) to ensure accuracy of job readiness of individuals with disabilities.
Maintains current and up to date required trainings and continuing education as required by state and local government.
Provides retention and job coaching for individuals placed in community job sites as needed.
Is available to transport and assist individuals with disabilities as needed.
Assists in development and coordination of workflows and processes to ensure that documentation is accurate and in compliance.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Scope:

Performs duties with minimal specific direction given, operates from established and well-known procedures. Decisions are made within general company policy constraints but may require independent decision-making.

This position may provide input for the long-range operational planning and may be asked to provide input for the organization’s long-range strategic planning process.

This position has a significant degree of impact on customer satisfaction and the image and credibility of Garten Services.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position is not supervisory to other employees but may include job coaching, daily work direction, and evaluation may to program participants.

Interpersonal Contacts:

Has both internal and external contacts. The most common internal contacts are with others in our own department and supervisor. The most frequent external contacts are with community employers, funding sources, and circle of support of individuals receiving services. The types of interactions for both internal and external contacts involve information exchange, consulting, negotiation, and problem solving.

Both internal and external contacts are usually made at the employee’s own initiative with 40% of the contacts being over the telephone or email and 60% face to face. At least 70% of all contacts are with external customers while 30% are with internal customers. Contacts frequently contain discussion of confidential/sensitive issues.

Specific Job Skills Required:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Attentiveness to detail.
Ability to maintain accurate record keeping/documentation and generate reports.
General knowledge of effective training techniques with ability to provide job coaching to a diverse workforce.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to model good work practices.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Ability to organize, balance multiple priorities, coordinate projects, and focus on tasks through completion.
Ability to work independently, use independent judgment and discretion in making decisions.
Ability to actively participate in team development and team-oriented processes.
Physical and mental ability to operate a calculator and use computer hardware/software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook).
Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and proof of current vehicle insurance.
Physical ability to stand, walk, twist, bend, kneel, grasp, handle, reach, kneel occasionally
during normal workday.
Physical ability to push up to 100 pounds, and to carry up to 10 pounds occasionally in a normal workday.
Physical ability to assist individuals in wheelchairs as needed.

Education and/or Experience Required:

Minimum of 2-3 years combined experience working with/providing job coaching and/or training to individuals with diverse learning abilities with preference given to those with prior experience in a vocational and/or production setting; ability to communicate in basic ASL a plus.
An undergraduate degree specializing in rehabilitation, social work, social sciences, communication or related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
Knowledge of the Salem community is preferred.

Job Conditions:

This position requires the incumbent to work in an environment where there may be heavy equipment operation, noise, odors, outdoor weather, biohazards. Other working conditions may include:

Frequent interruptions; working alone; working flexible hours; driving in traffic; attending meetings outside of regular work hours; on-call status; occasional equipment operation; extensive detail work; daily exposure to a computer; pressure of meeting deadlines; exposure to disagreeable individuals.

Perks Include:

FREE Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance
FREE Dental Insurance
FREE Vision Insurance
FREE Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Garten Retirement Plan
Paid time off
Paid holidays and one paid floating holiday

Footer/EEO Statement:

Garten commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Recruitment team at recruitment@garten.org.

Employment Specialist 1

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