Employment Specialist I / Counselor: Job Description

Qualifications: Over 18 years of age, a valid driver’s license and verification of insurance, and is competent through training, experience, and education to meet the consumer’s needs and additional requirements as written in the individual service plan. (245 B.07. Sec. 41. Subd.4.)

General Responsibilities: 
A. You are a member of the overall agency program team that assures a good quality of life for the individuals served in the program
B. Responsible for knowing the individual being served and the individual’s personal goals, outcomes and program plans
C. Understand and adhere to CHOICE, unlimited’s mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures

Specific Responsibilities for Promoting Choice:
1. Promote individual choice in developing and participating in a variety of community work and leisure / recreation activities.
2. Assist individuals in actively exercising their rights to the best of their ability
3. Allow individuals in choosing and developing friendships at work sites and in the community
4. Have a working knowledge of each person served which includes their strengths, likes, and preferences

Specific Responsibilities for developing relationships:
1. Have a meaningful relationship with the individual served based on dignity and respect at all times.
2. Provide positive support and role model  when working with individuals served throughout the day
3. Maintain appropriate boundaries with individuals served
4. Maintain an open and productive working relationship with all members of your team, assuring open communication with parents, residential, and other professionals
5. Maintain open and constructive communication with the supervisor of your program

Specific Responsibilities for implementing outcomes and plans:
1. Work with individuals served at community based work sites, developing work related job skills
2. Implement all programs as written and document as indicated
3. Document communication with community employers, residential staff, parents, etc.
4. Keep accurate individual account records, which include copying payroll checks and stubs, daily spending, budgeting, and banking (if applicable).
5. Understand and implement individual’s behavior management program (if applicable).
Specific Responsibilities for the Health and Safety of the individual being served:
1. Pass medications regularly, understanding the medications and their side-effects, and documenting in medical records.
2. Complete incident, accident, and seizure reports promptly
3. Observe safety and caution when driving vehicles and transporting consumers
4. Follow menus, special diets, document substitutions
5. Know and follow OSHA and work site safety skills at all times

Specific Responsibilities for staff training / personnel: 
1. Attend staff training according to agency requirements and provide supervisor with appropriate documentation
2. Attend staff meetings according to agency requirements and notify supervisor when unable to attend
3. Complete all necessary personnel forms and provide supervisor with appropriate documentation in a timely manner
4. Submit time forms and mileage forms when due

Other Responsibilities:
1. Assume any other temporary or permanent responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director and Assistant Director
2. And other duties as assigned

Responsible to:  The Employment Specialist I / Counselor is responsible to the supervisor of the assigned program.


Creating & Having Opportunities in Community Environments