Program Specialist Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities and Duties: Working under the supervision of the Director of Supported Employment, the Employment Supervisor provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for adult employment services, including Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs), Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), Employment Retention Services, Private Pay services, and other employment-related initiatives.

The Employment Supervisor supervises Employment Coaches, Employment Specialists, and Employment Retention Specialists while supporting staff development and professional growth, ensuring service quality and compliance, developing employer and community partnerships, monitoring operational performance, and promoting successful employment outcomes for individuals receiving employment services.

Employment Supervisors are assigned a primary area of responsibility based upon organizational need, staff experience, certifications, and program requirements. Supervisors may primarily oversee services associated with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs) or Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), Employment Retention Services, and other long-term employment supports. Regardless of assignment, Employment Supervisors maintain working knowledge of all employment service programs and collaborate to ensure continuity of services, staffing flexibility, and successful employment outcomes across the department.

MillarRich is a trauma-informed organization that values empathy, open communication, and respectful collaboration. The Employment Supervisor demonstrates a strong awareness of how trauma can impact individuals and communities and approaches their work with compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Specific duties may include:

1. Supervises, mentors, coaches, and evaluates Employment Coaches, Employment Specialists, and Employment Retention Specialists to ensure quality service delivery, accountability, and professional growth;
2. Participates in interviewing, onboarding (e.g., orientation, role training, integration and independence), and retention efforts for assigned staff;
3. Conducts regular supervision meetings, performance evaluations, field observations, and coaching activities to support accountability, staff development, and service excellence;
4. Assists staff in developing professional competencies related to Supported Employment, Customized Employment, employment retention, employer engagement, benefits-related employment considerations, and other employment service practices;
5. Oversees service delivery to ensure services are provided in accordance with funding source requirements, organizational expectations, and individual employment goals;
6. Reviews documentation, reports, assessments, and service records to ensure quality, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable standards;
7. Collaborates with the Supported Employment Program Specialist to ensure compliance with funding source requirements, documentation standards, authorization timelines, auditing processes, billing expectations, and quality improvement initiatives;
8. Utilizes data, audit findings, quality assurance measures, and program performance indicators to identify staffing, resource, training, and operational needs and to guide staff development, service improvements, and operational decision-making;
9. Oversees staff caseload assignments, workload distribution, service capacity, and staffing utilization to promote efficiency and positive employment outcomes;
10. Monitors productivity, service utilization, outcome achievement, and financial performance for assigned programs and staff;
11. Develops and maintains strategic relationships with employers, community partners, funding entities, referral sources, and other stakeholders to support employment opportunities and program growth;
12. Provides consultation and support regarding complex employment situations, employer concerns, workplace accommodations, retention challenges, customized employment opportunities, career advancement efforts, and other employment-related issues;
13. Supports staff in the development of employment opportunities, employer partnerships, and successful employment outcomes for individuals receiving services;
14. Assists in identifying and developing new employment initiatives, service opportunities, and community partnerships that align with departmental goals and organizational growth strategies;
15. Participates in department meetings, leadership meetings, organizational initiatives, and strategic planning activities;
16. Collaborates with the Director of Supported Employment, Supported Employment Program Specialist, and organizational leadership to develop and implement departmental goals, priorities, and improvement initiatives;
17. Supports implementation of department policies, procedures, workflows, and best practices while promoting consistency and accountability across assigned programs;
18. Promotes high satisfaction among persons served, family members, guardians, employers, referral sources, community partners, and other stakeholders through proactive communication, responsiveness, and problem-solving;
19. Always maintains a professional appearance and presentation to effectively represent the agency within business and community settings;
20. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as circumstances warrant.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

1. Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Business Administration, Workforce Development, or a related field required.
2. Must possess or obtain within one (1) year of employment the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) Professional Certificate.
3. Minimum of three (3) years of professional employment service experience supporting individuals with disabilities in competitive integrated employment settings required.
4. Previous supervisory, leadership, mentoring, training, or program management experience preferred.
5. Knowledge of Supported Employment, Customized Employment, Job Development, employment stabilization, employment retention, career advancement strategies, and person-centered planning principles.
6. Knowledge of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs), Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), Employment Retention Services, and other employment-related funding systems and programs.
7. Ability to supervise, coach, mentor, and develop staff while promoting accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
8. Ability to analyze service delivery data, identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and implement improvement strategies.
9. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with employers, funding entities, community partners, referral sources, and other stakeholders.
10. Ability to work independently while effectively managing multiple priorities, deadlines, staffing needs, operational demands, organizational objectives, and program responsibilities.
11. Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills with the ability to effectively engage staff, employers, community partners, and leadership.
12. Knowledge of benefits planning resources, transportation resources, assistive technology, workplace accommodations, and community support systems preferred.
13. Knowledge of CPI techniques and/or behavior analysis preferred.
14. Demonstrates active listening, critical observation, curiosity, and openness to giving and receiving feedback.
15. Demonstrates adaptability, assertiveness, initiative, resilience, patience, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment.
16. Knowledge of computers, specifically Excel, Word, Outlook, and other technology platforms utilized for service delivery, documentation, reporting, scheduling, and communication.
17. Flexibility in assigned working hours, work locations, service areas, and program assignments.
18. Operation of a motor vehicle is required which includes proof of a valid driver's license, an ability to maintain automobile liability insurance as required by state law in Tennessee, and an ability to qualify as a driver under MillarRich, LLC insurance guidelines.