Employment Relations Specialist

The Employment Relations Specialist works directly with autistic individuals and employers to implement employment services. Using person-centered, individualized, evidence-based support services, the employment relations specialist provides assistance with choosing, acquiring, and maintaining competitive paid employment. The role provides instruction, support and supervision to individuals to teach appropriate skills and behaviors for maximum involvement and success in obtaining and maintaining employment, while also ensuring success in a variety of community settings. The employment Relations Specialist provides education, advocacy, and support to a range of employers, managers, and HR professionals on supporting and employing individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide instruction and support to individuals for job development, employment acquisition and maintenance, ongoing on-site support and cultivation of natural supports within vocational settings. Target skills will include communication, social and behavioral skills to enable individual to achieve maximum integration, engagement, and independence in employment settings.
• Collaborate with the individuals family, legally responsible person (LRP), and employers, regarding the individuals progress and needs.
• Develop and implement structure, work systems, and natural supports within and outside of the work-site, as appropriate to individuals needs
• Assist in task-analyzing each portion of work or volunteer activities into individual steps appropriate to each individuals understanding, including identifying the essential and ancillary job duties involved
• Engage in assessing the availability of community transportation and training the individual in using community transportation, as applicable.
• Provide necessary support to individuals receiving new employee orientation and training procedures, individual completes an orientation process consistent with all other employees at a site
• Complete all required Medicaid, State, and Federal documentation regarding the individual progress accurately and submitted within 24 hours of completion of shift
• Receive and follow direction, supervision, and feedback regarding job performance and all matters related to provision of services from the Employment Services Coordinator
• Complete all required trainings and maintain current trainings throughout employment to engage in ongoing learning about autism, evidence-based methodologies and best practice philosophies, an individuals needs and goals as needed, changes in documentation tracking or recording methods, and any other job-related responsibilities.
• Maintain regular and effective communication with supervisors and members of employment services department regarding all matters relevant to the delivery of services and business partnerships.
• Adhere to deadlines and timelines for completion of documentation and submission of timesheets for payroll purposes.