VOCATIONAL SPECIALIST

OVERVIEW:

Vocational Specialist help clients sort out their career options, providing them with intense assessments to bring out what they can do best. They conduct interviews to determine what each client is looking for, and then match their credentials, including education, work history, training, interests, and personality with available job opportunities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develops and maintains positive relationships with employers, industry organizations, and public agencies to identify job openings and to secure employment and proper vocational training opportunities for clients. 
• Evaluates and understands each clients background, skills, and interests. 
• Matches potential job openings or training programs with clients.
• Consults with appropriate contact or employer to discuss job openings and candidates. 
• Coaches clients for interviews and entry into the workforce including background information regarding potential employers and the specific job. 
• Consults with clients and employers after interviews to gather feedback and maximize placement opportunities. 
• Increase contacts in the community through active participation in various associations. 
• Reviews reputable websites, local newspapers, and statewide business papers to identify new employers entering the area. 

FACILITY OPERATION:

• Create a portfolio of available jobs and types of work that correlates to each client’s specific professional profile and distributed to the Case Manager. 
• Provide information to clients regarding appropriate vocational training programs and assist them in thinking about long-term employment goals. 
• Records are to be maintained, as per agency policy, to include weekly itineraries, daily contact notes, and weekly progress reports. 
• Provide verification of attendance to the Case Manager.
• Oversee weekly employment time sheets for weekly pay. 

PROGRAM/ACTIVITIES:

• Meet with our program staff weekly to coordinate treatment activities.
• Maintain contact and communicate with the agency of referral, providing the support services.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of all activities. 
• Develop and deliver appropriate, measurable, and attainable goal plans for each assigned client in conjunction with the treatment team. 
• Perform other activities, as assigned by Unit Director. 

GENERAL:

• Adhere to the Policy and Procedure of the agency, 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses. 
• Excellent interpersonal, counseling, and negotiation skills.
• Local travel is required 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in one of the core behavioral health disciplines or related field including but not limited to psychology, education, counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or general studies with major concentration in a human service-related field from an accredited institution or equivalent required. 
• Relevant job experience (2-3 years) may be substituted for referred college degree. 
• Ability to understand vocational test data combined with effective communications skills.
• Knowledge of vocational services and specific program linkages and knowledge of the Criminal Justice system.  
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record that doesn’t preclude the employee from being covered by Agency liability insurance. 
• Maintain a record which does not preclude the employee from working with offenders as required by regulatory agencies.
• Organizational skills; ability to complete documentation timely and accurately. 
• Must have 40 hours of training per year that pertains to job description. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and email or related software. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, and sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must be able to lift and/or move 25 pounds.