Career and Vocational Specialist

As a Career Vocational Specialist for adults with disabilities, this role is incredibly important in empowering individuals to find meaningful employment opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and abilities. Here's an overview of what your job may entail:

1. Assessment and Evaluation: Assess clients' skills, interests, strengths, and limitations to determine their vocational goals and potential career paths. This might involve interviews, standardized tests, and observations.

2. Career Counseling:  Provide one-on-one vocational counseling to help clients explore career options, set realistic goals, and develop action plans. This could include discussing education and training programs, resume writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

3. Job Placement Assistance:  Assist clients in finding suitable employment opportunities, whether through job postings, networking, or partnerships with employers. This might involve matching clients with companies that have inclusive hiring practices or advocating for accommodations in the workplace.  Job development may  be a part of this process.

4. Training and Skill Development:  Provide or coordinate training programs to help clients develop job-related skills, such as computer skills, communication skills, or specific vocational skills relevant to their chosen career paths.

5. Advocacy and Support:  Advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, ensuring they receive reasonable accommodations and fair treatment. Additionally, you would provide ongoing support to clients as they navigate their careers, addressing any challenges or barriers they encounter.

6. Community Outreach and Collaboration:  Collaborate with community organizations, vocational rehabilitation agencies, schools, and employers to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities and raise awareness about inclusive employment practices.  Develop volunteer opportunities to practice job skills.

7. Client focused: Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. 

8. Community Involvement: Participate in the planning, organization and implementation of special events/department specific projects including job fairs, community fairs, community service-learning projects and fundraising events.  Develop strong community support and collaborative partnerships. Maintain effective linkages with internal department staff, outside agency professionals, and other community organizations as it related to data management. Maintain the confidentiality of client or collateral interaction within Jason's Place, Inc. defined standards. Exhibit positivity, flexibility, and a willingness to take on new responsibilities as requested or required.

Overall, your role as a Career Vocational Specialist is centered around helping individuals with disabilities overcome barriers to employment and achieve their vocational goals, ultimately promoting independence, self-sufficiency, and inclusion in the workforce.

Minimum education:  Associate degree in Social Work, Education, Human Services required.  Bachelor's degree preferred.