Employment Specialist

Job Description:

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Location: Columbia, MO

Department: Employment Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary:
Join our compassionate and collaborative team as an Employment Specialist, where you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. In this role, you will develop and implement comprehensive vocational services, providing personalized career planning and job placement support. We are looking for someone who is dedicated, flexible, and passionate about helping others achieve long-term vocational success. Your expertise in the local labor market will be invaluable as you create employer relationships and advocate for clients in their job search.

As an Employment Specialist, you will be responsible for guiding clients through their employment journey, from individualized career planning to job retention support. You will work closely with clients, employers, and referral sources to ensure successful outcomes and foster a supportive work environment.

This position offers…

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost

• Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel

• Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition

• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce

• Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities:

• Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.

• Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological, and educational information to assist clients with individualized career planning and job development.

• Conduct orientation for clients to explain services and discuss their rights and responsibilities.

• Assist clients with individualized benefits planning and job retention skills.

• Create employer relationships and provide services to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities.

• Educate employers on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations.

• Maintain frequent contact with referral sources to discuss shared clients and identify potential referrals.

• Report job development outcomes and respond to crises that may occur with clients at their worksite.

• Travel extensively to conduct job development and support, including transporting clients.

• Other duties as assigned by Leadership.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required;

• An associate's or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.

• At least one year of experience providing employment services.

Additional Qualifications:

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check.

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.

• Must provide evidence that incumbent is free of infectious and contagious disease, such as TB, prior to beginning employment and annually thereafter.

Physical Requirements:

• ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your we