Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES

Summary: The Arc of Union County Inc. is a leading Community Employment Services provider of Person-Centered Therapeutic services to vulnerable persons and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Employment support programming provides education and job training to acquire the skills and experience needed to transition and secure meaningful employment in the community, through Vocational Rehabilitation Services consistent with the participant's Service Plan. This is accomplished with appropriate vocational training techniques and support according to the person focused goals and objectives developed for each individual through the ISP and/or IEP process.

The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES (Workforce Development and Employment Services) provides a range of person-centered services that connects Workforce Development and Employment Services Extended Employment program participants with community and employment services and ensures timely and coordinated access to supportive services to remove barriers that impacts training completion. The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES case management role is dedicated to supporting service recipients in working successfully towards competitive intergraded employment in the community. The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES observes service recipients in Extended Employment Program on their tasks and follows through on arising matters in relation to their programming. The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES works to ensure that the service recipient's goals are met and all required supportive services are provided. He or she coordinates the development of individual service plans and the delivery of services to service recipients with the primary goal to assist the service recipient in attaining/retaining optimum employment. This role is responsible for monitoring service recipient's progress and documents performance as specified in the Individual Service Plan/Individual Employment Development Plan. The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES serves as the service recipient's career advocate and liaison between the service recipient and staff in the implementation and follow up of programmatic issues.

The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES provides a safe, secure, and dependable support and assistance in areas that are necessary for service recipients to achieve full social inclusion, independence, personal and economic well-being as approved by the Individual Service Plan/Individual Employment Development Plan. The Employment Support Case Manager, WFD&ES focuses on improving the quality of life of service recipients, and provides counseling to service recipients in social, vocational, and life skills and assists to remove identified barriers. .

The incumbent develops service plans, monitors skills development, and provides support and mentoring for all service recipients through a person-centered approach. The incumbent considers the unique characteristics and needs of the individual as expressed by the individual and others who know the person, such as family, friends, service providers, etc. The incumbent ensures services are provided in a non-intrusive manner, and service recipient is included in problem-solving and decision-making. The incumbent is to maintain a positive, healthy and stimulating environment for service recipients and assures adequate supervision at all times.

This is a non-exempt position working Monday through Friday, between 8:30am - 4:30pm as assigned. The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director, EE-WFD&ES (Workforce Development and Employment Services).

This position requires completion of DDD System Mandatory Training Bundle within 90 days of hire, DDD, Vocational, DOL and Agency Orientations, other designated trainings, and a minimum of 12 Hours of Professional Development completed annually.

This position requires that information related to service recipients, employees, and program operations is handled, channeled, managed and delivered professionally to the appropriate and right personnel or party consistent with agency and department policy.

Skills: This position requires Ability to use Windows software, ability to use a data entry software such as Therap, ability to complete Shift and Individual Served ISP Data entry in web based electronic platform. Able to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Demonstrates ability to write routine reports and correspondences. Strong organizational and communications skills required. Able to respond to common inquires or complaints from service recipients, regulatory agencies, guardians, etc. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, managers, employees, consumers, service recipients' family members, public, possess customer service etiquette, etc. General Math Skills with ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Computer literacy required. Able to solve practical problems when dealing with concrete variable situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Demonstrate ability to work with others, with system issues, and within designated time frames. Understand group work. Demonstrates patience in dealing with service recipients' family members, employees, etc. Demonstrate ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of people. Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Demonstrates ability to perform duties in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Demonstrates commitment to person focused services and community integration.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology, Special Education, or related field. Three years related extensive experience in community supported employment, job development, advocacy, and employment skills development. Some exposure to Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRs), familiarity with Community Employment Services and/or Social Supports Services for Individuals with Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities. Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) certification by the Employment Support Professional Certification Council of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Must be 21 years of age or older. Must have a Valid New Jersey driver's license and abstract (not to exceed 5 points), and ability to meet agency insurability requirements. Complete State/Federal Criminal Background checks and Central Registry checks.

Major Position Responsibilities

Provide case management services to Workforce Development and Employment Services Extended Employment (EE) program service recipients to assure that the client has goals and outcomes that will lead to increased self-advocacy, self-sufficiency, community integration and gainful employment.

Perform Service Recipients intake to obtain information to initiate the workforce development and employment services process.

Receive new service recipients and spend time working with them in 50-day work trial for proper assessment and determination of appropriate service Needs.

Administer assessment; evaluate service recipient's abilities, interests, experience, skills, and training.

Provide information, referrals and assistance with linkage to supportive services.

Ensure referrals are initiated and submitted to DVRS office, other offices for other services for service recipients.

Plan and coordinate with other referrals sources.

Coordinate for other services the individual might need to work successfully.

Act as a liaison with other service providers and local DVRs to assist in maintaining collaborative community and employer partnerships.

Complete Monthly reviews (or as needed), with Workforce Development and Employment Services EE's program service recipients to identify the service recipient's career values and any potential barriers to be addressed.

Develop career and training plans based on training, employment background, expressed interest and career exploration activities.

Assist with the determination of the service recipient's career goals and outcomes throughout their training time.

With input from the Workforce Development and Employment Services staff in collaboration with agency's Service Plan coordinators (for persons with multiple programs), develop the Individual Service Plan/Individual Employment Development Plans for each service recipient's identified goals.

Work with WFD&ES's leadership teams and DVR's office to conduct in-service training for required staff on the proper implementation and delivery of the ISP/Individual Employment Development Plan.

Advocate for the amount of work provided to service recipients to ensure adequate at all times. All service recipients are given opportunities to try more complex jobs. Modifications or accommodations to assist consumers completing the tasks is provided as necessary and appropriate.

Advocate and assist in arranging for the activities provided during "down time" when paid work is not available within the facility. Activities offered will be is varied, sufficient amount, vocationally based etc.

Establish thorough knowledge of DOL Wage and Hour Division certification requirements to Employ Workers with Disabilities at Sub-Minimum Wages. This includes processes for Time Studies & Procedures and Practical execution, Task Analysis Procedures, Work Measurement/Time, conduction of Prevailing Wage Surveys, Measurement or calculation of production quantities, production rates, Time Studies, Task Analysis, Average number of hours worked per week on all jobs at work site, Average earnings per hour for all jobs at work site/Hourly Wage Rates, Piece Rate Paid to Service Recipients (rate per unit), Prevailing Wage rate for the job described, Productivity measure/rating for the job described (Standard Productivity/units per hour), Prevailing Wage Survey Data & Formula, Determination of Prevailing Wage based on Survey, Commensurate wage rate/average earnings per hour for the job described, Total hours worked for the job described. The Essence of preservation and maintenance of data, and records for all numbers herein formulated.

Identify career training opportunities and educate employers about the abilities and needs of service recipients.

Maintain connections and communications with local DVRs office and counselors.

Explore and develop employment opportunities and community resources for referral purposes.

Enter all relative and pertinent case management documentation into Therap Electronic Data Management system.

Provide daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and final case management performance reporting.

Monitor service recipients' progress, follow through and facilitate revision of plans as necessary.

Address service recipient issues as they arise in Extended Employment Training Program.

Participate in staff, IDT and service plan meetings to provide real time updates on barrier removal progress, internal and external barriers to training completion, and job placement.

Design FRPs (Facility Rehabilitation Plan) for each service recipient that provides employment skills development, measurement of the Employment Plan Objectives progression and goal outcomes. Assure software platform utilized provides fitting format in line with DVRs objectives for successful monthly reviews by the Program Planning and Development Specialist CRPU (Community Rehabilitation Programs Unit) DLWD (Department of Labor and Workforce Development) DVRS.

Ensure development of individualized service plans (ISP) that are based on the strengths, abilities, preferences, desired outcomes, and other issues as identified for the individuals served.

Participate actively in the service plan team meetings and work cooperatively to achieve consensus in the spirit of the Service Plan operating principles. Participate in the planning meetings for service recipients process and assure identified goals are accomplished in accordance with Agency policies. Assure correct implementation of ISP objectives and development of Behavior Interventions as needed.

Coordinate individualized service plans. Consistently identify specific measurable objectives and methods/techniques to be utilized to achieve the objectives. Provide oversight to ensure implementation of strategies necessary to assist the individual in progressing toward his/her personally defined goals and outcomes as indicated in the Individual Service Plan.

Update service recipient's goals in a timely manner if main goals change during the duration of their service year.

Run a report frequently to measure work production technical proficiency/statistics to ascertain those who are reaching Masterly Level Attainment in the Community Rehabilitation (Work center). Follow through as required by ensuring the individuals operating at mastery efficiency are paid at Federal Minimum Wage Per Hour, receive job skill training or or rotate off to different jobs (including meaningful or competitive employment etc.) Assure goal modification occurs and ISP/IEP reflects progress.

For service recipients who have a production rate over 50%, refer them to the local office or the hybrid program and follow-up with regard to the status. If the service recipient and/or their family/guardians are not interested in pursuing competitive integrated employment, then communicate to ensure that the objectives on the IEP reflects as such. Work to increase awareness with regard to competitive integrated employment.

Make referrals for hybrid program, coordinate, work with local DVR office counselors for hybrid referrals.

Plan and facilitate process of leading service recipients transition from EE into competitive intergraded employment.

Assist service recipients with identifying their own unique abilities, vocational potential, and maintaining meaningful employment.

Provide pre-employment, on the job training assessment, job coaching, retention services and follow along supports per each service recipients' individual needs and desires.

Support individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities towards improving vocational skills for gainful employment through productive work.

Asses service recipients, communicate with management or make referral to DVRs office about service recipient's progress; resolve challenges relating to behavior, learning, etc.

Perform evaluations with service recipients including but not limited to assessing the effects of cognitive and physical needs in relation to job related activities.

Follow through with department director to ensure that Floor staffing ratio is sufficient to meet the needs of at all times.

Complete Case Record's reporting quarterly with content in annual plans and notes encompassing high quality details in the reporting, measurable terms on service recipients progress, etc.

Assure Daily Case Notes align with Monthly and quarterly reporting documentation provided to DVRs is completed accurately and submitted on time, Response to identified corrections if any.

Provide high Quality COVID Monthly EE Report Monthly to DVRs by the 10th of following month.

Provide high Quality EE Hybrid Report for each service recipient monthly to DVRs by 10th of following month.

Provide high Quality Transportation Report Quarterly to DVRs by 10th of Qtr. end month.

Provide high quality EE Quarterly Report is completed Quarterly by the 15th of following month for Q1-Q3, 30th of the following month for Q4.

Complete service recipient