Employment Specialist I Position

 Good-2-Go Oregon is Central Oregon's premiere community-based support program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  We specialize in high functioning adults who experience some form of Developmental Disability.   

The Employment Services (EMP) department helps our clients find and maintain gainful employment in the community.  We work with community partners to find roles which highlight the strengths associated with client's I/DD (eg strong visual thinking), and provide workplace supports to mitigate challenges that come with the client's I/DD.  

Employment Specialists I, also known as Job Coaches, work primarily to mitigate workplace challenges for clients.  This typically takes the form of working with the client at the workplace for a few hours each week, in order to provide hands on coaching, find natural supports in the workplace, assist with communication, and support during stressful or challenging activates.  

Job Coaching relies heavily on identifying client problems and working to solve them.  Because every client's I/DD presents unique strengths and weaknesses, Job Coaches need to employ a wide range of strategies to ensure the client is successful when they are not present.  

A typical day varies based on the client supported but generally includes:

• Training the client to do work-related tasks
• Helping the client communicate with management and team members
• Supporting the client during their most challenging activities at work 
• Working with the client's coworkers to ensure success when the job coach is not present

In the Portland Metro, this role also helps with pre-employment support including teaching of core skills and helping clients to identify their interests.  However, this role does not include any Job Development (writing resumes, interview prep etc) as this is handled by more experienced Employment Specialists.

 Due to the nature of services, we are looking for a creative, empathetic, and patient individual to help with services.  Candidates must show strong communication skills, be able to de-escalate situations, and exhibit strong professional boundaries. 

Qualified applicants must:

• Have excellent verbal communication skills,
• Have a general understanding of many entry level roles,
• Have strong time management skills,
• Possess the ability for creative problem solving, and
• Be solution oriented.

Job Requirements:

• Be able to pass a criminal background check
• Be able to obtain a First-Aid/CPR certification within 90-days of employment, and.
• Have reliable personal vehicles to travel between clients' places of work (with travel/mileage reimbursement).

Schedule:

• Self Scheduled based on client needs, 
• We strongly encourage Monday - Friday day shifts, but job coaches may work occasional nights or weekends
• Portland - Approximately 35 hours per Week

Compensation:

• Starting Rate: $22.00 - 23.00 /hr
• Paid Time Off
• Bonuses based on client retention
• Continuing education, including paid JDOT training 
• Access to Vision, Dental, Health insurance - Full Time only
• Paid Holidays - Full Time Only