Position: Employment & Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Specialist

Reports to: Program Manager 

Work Options is a culinary training program for adults 18+ years of age. Our mission is to empower individuals by overcoming barriers to sustainable employment through culinary training, confidence building and resource provision.

Position Summary: The Employment/DVR Specialist is a vital and unique role within the Case Management department. This full-time position supports Work Options participants in securing and maintaining sustainable employment through job development, job coaching, and long-term employment support.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university OR at least one (1) year of experience in human services, social work, education, or working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Equivalent work experience or credentialing may be considered in place of a degree on a year-for-year basis.
• Must complete the ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators) training program within one (1) year of hire.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Manage and respond to phone inquiries from students, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution.
• Conduct initial calls with prospective students to provide information, answer questions, and guide them through the pre-enrollment process.
• Help organize and facilitate information sessions for prospective students, offering key details about the organization and enrollment procedures.
• Prepare classroom materials and ensure readiness for afternoon classes by coordinating with the instructor and managing needed resources.
• Maintain confidentiality of all student information and records at all times.
• Perform additional administrative tasks as assigned.

Employment Specialist Responsibilities:

• Maintain a caseload of participants, assist in identifying and addressing barriers to sustainable employment.
• Conduct regular check in with students to provide support and guidance.
• Support students with DVR and/or community mental health waiver applications.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes for database records.
• Provide individualized and group employment support, including resume/cover letter assistance, online job application completion, interview preparation, employer outreach, job retention, and follow-up.
• Teach employability classes as needed
• Provide resource navigation through outreach and networking with service providers; offer referrals and advocacy as appropriate.
• Comply with all grant and reporting requirements as directed by the supervisor.
• Deliver follow-up services for a minimum of 12 months to support job retention via phone and in-person contact
• Conduct 3-week student reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager and/or Access and Resource Coordinator

Work Options is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Previous criminal history is not a basis for disqualification. Work Options is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from persons of color, multilingual speakers (particularly Spanish – English bilingual), and persons with lived experience.