Vocational Specialist

A Vocational Specialist is a professional who assists individuals in identifying suitable career paths, acquiring job skills, and integrating into the workforce. Their role involves assessing the vocational strengths and weaknesses of clients, providing career counseling, coordinating job training programs, and connecting clients with employment opportunities. 

Here are some key responsibilities of a Vocational Specialist:

1. Vocational Assessment

2. Career Counseling

3. Job Training

4. Collaboration

Overall, Vocational Specialists play a crucial role in helping individuals overcome obstacles to employment and achieve their career goals. They combine their expertise in vocational assessment, counseling, and job placement to empower clients to succeed in the workforce!

Benefits/Perks:

• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Flexible Schedule
• Health, dental & vision insurance options
• Paid Employer sponsored life insurance
• Supplemental insurance programs for additional life insurance, short-term disability, accident & cancer insurance
• Up to $600 every year for completing biometric health screenings on a single health insurance plan & up to $1,200 if a spouse completes too!
• Free dental insurance (for Full Time employees and their families)

Responsible to: Director of Vocational Services

Job Summary:  
The Vocational Specialist provides support to individuals with barriers to employment and education attainment in their community. The Vocational Specialist will support the individual in achieving their employment and educational goals in a person-centered manner through refinement of skills such as communication, self-care, socialization, personal adjustment, and relationship development.

Essential Job Duties:
– Provide support to promote the development and growth of employability, during training, job development and on the job.
– Form and maintain relationships with participants, community employers, and partners.
– Develop, plan, and facilitate vocational workshops.
– Working knowledge of job market, post-secondary resources, community resources and public transportation.
– Use of observational and standardized evaluations to support in creating a career pathway and make meaningful recommendations for vocational success.
– Written communication skills for documentation, articulation of progress toward individual goals and observations/ interactions.
– Model professional work skills, including care of equipment, materials and property.
– Professionally represent OLV Human Services in our community consistent with agency Values.
– Complies with all federal and state regulations and agency policies pertaining to HIPAA, false claims, whistleblower policies, and all others.
– Any other relevant functions identified by Program Director.
– Work individually with participants to promote the development and growth of independent living skills, job readiness, educational exploration and self-advocacy in a work or academic setting.
– Provide direct support to job-seekers with barriers to employment in all stages of an employment process. This includes job development, on-the-job support and retention support. 
– Provide training and work readiness services in community employment settings.
– Provide vocational and work readiness services in group and individual settings.
– Attend community activities with individual or small group such as school tours and field trips.
– Proficiency in navigating and demonstrating use of technology for vocational development. This includes job applications, cloud-based programs, mobile technology and internet safety. Further proficiency in remote engagement tools (video conferencing) is expected. 
– Transport individuals when necessary.
– Any other relevant functions identified by Program Director.

Skills: 
Teamwork: Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently
Consistency and Reliability: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Active Listening: Provide services in a person-centered manner; demonstrate professional empathy and patience. 
Advocacy Skills
Creative approach to problem-solving: Ability to navigate the internet and basic computer operations; Organizational and time management skills.

Minimum Education/ Experience Required:  
Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Education or related fields * Other BA/ BS disciplines will be considered contingent on experience
2 + Experience in training, advocacy, education, or leadership is preferred. Customer service, retail recreation also considered. 

Associates degree in Human Services, Education or related fields * Other AA/ AS disciplines will be considered contingent on experience
3 + Experience in training, advocacy, education, or leadership is preferred. Customer service, retail recreation also considered. 

High school diploma/ equivalent
4+ Experience in training, advocacy, education, or leadership is preferred. Customer service, retail recreation also considered. 

License/Registration/ Certifications Required:
Valid NYS Driver’s License

Training Requirements:  
New Hire Orientation
Funding-specific trainings related to vocational services (NYS CASE, Innovations)
Trauma informed care

Physical Requirements: 
The constant physical demand of the position is sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, good vision.
The frequent physical demands of the position are, repetitive motions, and eye/hand/foot coordination.
The occasional physical demands of the position are lifting, carrying, climbing, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and feeling.