Employment Specialist

Access Services is seeking a dedicated Employment Specialist to support individuals with disabilities throughout the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania in achieving meaningful employment and personal growth. This partners closely with individuals, families, employers, community agencies, and vocational rehabilitation professionals to develop and implement individualized employment plans. The Employment Specialist assists individuals in securing and maintaining competitive community-based employment, provides job coaching and on-the-job training, and delivers ongoing support to promote long-term success in the workplace. This position combines direct service, case management, employer relationship building, and advocacy while ensuring the safety, well-being, and development of each individual served. The role offers a combination of community-based work, office responsibilities, and hybrid remote flexibility, with regular travel required throughout the Lehigh Valley area. 

Essential Functions 

1. Help ensure the safety and well being of all individuals receiving services.
2. Assist, support and instruct individuals receiving services so that each individual will be afforded appropriate opportunities for growth and development.
3. Assist director with the development and coordination of the designated program component to which the Employment Specialist has been assigned, including the coordination of individual schedules.
4. Participate in interdepartmental team meetings and serve as a liaison with the individual, family members, residential support staff, county case managers, program management, and employer/community contact persons.
5. Overall responsibility for the development, implementation, and monitoring of action plans and OVR Individualized Plans for Employment for the assigned individuals.
6. Assist individuals in locating competitive work opportunities in the community.
7. Assist individuals in maintaining employment opportunities. Provide on the job training that is tailored for the individual and satisfies the specifications of the job. Provide follow along supports appropriate to the situation and the individual.
8. Complete necessary assessments, job site analysis, data records, placement records, correspondence and all required reports as well as file management.
9. Attend required meetings and trainings.
10. Have knowledge of emergency procedures and provide instruction and coordination of emergency procedures to individuals in this service.
11. This position requires the ability to travel during the course of a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectation of this position including attending offsite meetings, and providing services in the community

Requirements and Qualifications 

The selected candidate must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks, physical examination results, and driving history results.  

Driving Requirements:  

• A valid US driver’s license for at least two years, not including time with permit.

• No serious traffic convictions within the past three years. (Serious convictions include, but are not limited to, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or three or more traffic violations and/or at-fault accidents within that period).

• Access to a reliable vehicle during work hours. Vehicle must have valid registration and inspection stickers.

• Valid auto insurance. You will be asked to provide proof that you are a covered driver on the policy.

Education: High school diploma or GED required. 

Certification: A Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) certification from the Association of People Supporting Employment First for those individuals with at least one year of experience working in employment services, OR, satisfactory completion of a forty hour training to earn the Basic Employment Services Certificate of Achievement through the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators for those individuals without prior employment experience, achieved within six (6) months of hire. 

Experience: Experience in public relations, human services, rehabilitation, human resources, employment, counseling, education, or a related field. Four years of related experience, preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Familiarity with methods and materials for education/training of individuals with disabilities.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

• Ability to work effectively with people and be a productive member of a team.

• Ability to physically support/assist individuals with physical disabilities.

• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies. Ability to navigate network drives and basic hardware use and troubleshooting.

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Work in program sites and the community routinely providing direct care and/or support with individual(s). Stand, sit or run by self, or to provide proper care and supervision with an individual. Able to move and stay with an individual to keep them safe, both in home environment and community, both at near and far distances, even when an individual may struggle to meet identified expectations. Able to assist an individual who has fallen, regardless of weight or size. Walk, climb stairs by self, or to provide direct care and/or support. Work in a standard office environment. Utilize desktop computer equipment on a daily basis. Able to lift or move items associated with sedentary work and light work (exert up to 20 lbs.) Travel to offsite locations and regional office locations if necessary. 

Compensation, Schedule, and Benefits  

• The work schedule is 35-40 hours/week within regular business hours with flexibility to adapt to the needs of the caseloads, including nights and weekends as needed.

• The position starts at $18/hour with increases based on education and experience.

Access Services offers a competitive full‑time benefits package, which includes:  

• Health, vision, Rx, and dental insurance with options for HSA/FSA.

• Mileage reimbursement and paid travel time between worksites.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Referral bonuses.

• 401k match.

• Tuition reimbursement and college tuition discounts.

• 20 days paid off, and additional time with continued service. Paid holiday time. Catastrophic sick leave.

• Company paid Life Insurance as well as Long and Short-Term Disability.

• Ongoing professional development training.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.