ASD Career Advancement Specialist

Position: ASD Career Advancement Specialist

Reports To: Director of Autism Services

Hours: M-F, 40 hrs. per wee k w/flexibility for 1 -2 evenings per week as needed

Overview

Triangle has an immediate opening for a Career Advancement Specialist at the Main Street site . The qualified candidate will equip adults with disabilities to help them achieve the ir career and personal goals This will be done by maximizing their abilities and leveraging their interests through competitive employment opportunities as well as engaging , fun and customizable programming experiences.

Triangle’s Expectation of Employee

Adheres to Triangle policy and procedures

Fosters a positive, solution-oriented culture consistent with Triangle’s mission

Promotes employment, self-advocacy, and independence across programs and participants

Acts as a role model within and outside of Triangle

Maintains a positive and respectful attitude towards participants, staff, and community partners

Communicates regularly with supervisor

Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload

Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position, with a willingness to flex hours as needed

Primary Responsibilities

Equip s neurodiverse participants with job readiness skills to secure potential employment or collegiate pathways

Supervises & supports groups of participants in a program and variety of settings including social gatherings, volunteer sites, recreational outings, and other community related outings

Create s an inviting, customizable, excitin g and innovative earning environment

Take s lead in developing and implementing activities and employment /collegiate opportunities focused on personal and professional development

Aids in the development & implementation of new , flexible and engaging career and social experiences to meet program/participant driven goals

Monitors member’s respective utilization of contracts

Facilitates and implements after hours social opportunities and community engagement as needed

Monitor s individual job performance, attitude, and behavior for appropriateness for those that are employed

Implements independent living, self-advocacy, and soft skills into daily activities and programmatic offerings

Provide s individualized support to participants, when necessary , both during programming and 1:1 job /collegiate pathway coaching

Conducts initial/ongoing assessments for personal growth

Proactively communicate s with families or members over employment /collegiate progress and needs

Provide s supports to members and assist s in developing natural supports to ensure integration and increased or maintained independence in the community

Train s and develops independent skills related to employment and collegiate pathways , such as travel training, hygiene, self-advocacy, etc.

Provide s transportation for groups or individual career seekers to interv iews, employment assessments, job searching , and other employment activities in the community

Communicates in a professional manner with employers /collegiate stakeholders

Works with Case Management team to ensure individual’s ISP /Life Plan goals are being met

Participates in ISP /Life Plan meetings with Department of Developmental Services, participants, and their families or other members of their support team as needed

Takes direction from Site Manager to collect accurate data as needed for ISP /Life Plans , behavior plans, monthly progress notes, etc.

Submit s billing and related progress notes on a daily basis utilizing Penelope software

Contribute s to monthly ISP /Life Plan goal tracking notes

Other duties as assigned

Daily

Perform s 1:1 job development with or on behalf of participant and complete d ocumenting/ billing in database

Adjust supported employment schedule as needed

Provide s direct care/group site supervision when necessary

Prepare s and execute s lessons to foster personal and professional growth

Know s and adhere s to all safety policies and emergency procedures. Know basic emergenc y facts regarding participation

Maintains up to date case notes, employment records, schedules, etc.

Weekly

Provides services and bills necessary contract hours on a weekly basis

Plans and facilitates job clubs /events for groups of participants and bills accordingly

Checks in with appropriate parties on a weekly basis to share applicable progress, challenges, and ISP / Life plan progress and behavior data

Yearly

Reach es department placem ent/ annual goals set by Site Ma nager and Department

Participates in progress meetings (ISP, behavioral etc.) as requested .

Qualifications

Commitment to supporting a Neurodiverse population

High School Diploma required ; additional Education preferred

Two to Four year s of Human Services /ASD experience preferred

Some Marketing and/or Sales experience preferred

First Aid / CPR and Safety Care or willingness to become certified .

Massachusetts Drivers License and clean driving record required

Personal vehicle required

Must clear a st ate and federal background check

Language Skills

Ability to verbally communicate

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and write documents.

Ability to respond and navigate common inquiries or complaints from regulatory agencies, or family members.

Americans with Disability Specifications

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

W ork Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment shou