HKSB-Youth Coordinator/Employment Specialist

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States.

We currently have an exciting career opportunity available to join the HKS team as an Full-Time Youth Coordinator/Employment Specialist for our Placement department at our Brooklyn Location.

The Youth Coordinator/Employment Specialist is responsible for the execution of HKS’s Mission, goals, and objectives through the evaluation and development of participants’/consumers’ vocational skills, interests, and experiences to develop meaningful employment opportunities in an integrated setting.

Youth Coordinator/Employment Training Specialists are also responsible for providing pre-vocational services to teens to prepare them for the world of work. They maintain positive communication with participants/consumers, corporate employers, non-profit organizations, CBVH staff and HKSB employees. Youth Coordinator/Employment Training Specialists must demonstrate a sincere commitment to HKSB’s Mission and Values and conduct him/herself at a high professional level at all times and project a positive image of HKSB internally and externally.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Pre-vocational Services provide teens between the ages of 14-21 with exposure to the world of work and address their social, mobility, and daily living skills. Programs will be conducted at Hempstead, Islandia, and Brooklyn. (Pre-vocational planning and services should consume 6- 8 weeks out of the year.)
• Coordinate participation of other disciplines in pre-vocational services, organize and plan career exploration activities and trips, and develop next steps.
• Coordinate and facilitate the S.A.V.E. program which is a one-week sleep-away camp for young people.
• Assess the participant’s/consumer’s vocational skills, interests, experiences, needs, and appropriate services via a review of previous case documents and reports.
• Schedule in-person/virtual appointments with participants to better understand their vocational desires, abilities, challenges to employment, and needs.
• Assess their interpersonal skills in a one-to-one setting and group setting, either in person or using a virtual format.
• Train and facilitate our Employment Empowerment Groups (Soft Skills) and our Foundations (holistic work readiness) program in all Helen Keller locations either in person or utilizing a virtual platform. These workshops will help our vocational participants to refine their communication skills and to provide them with an understanding of the workplace.
• Coordinate participation of other disciplines in pre-vocational services, organize and plan career exploration activities and trips, and develop next steps.
• Coordination of all aspects of the adult vocational/employment process such as a job placement assessment, work experience training, job seeking, and job development services for assigned consumers/participants.
• Conduct all programs in Brooklyn, Hempstead and Islandia.
• Monitor participant’s on-the-job performance with the supervisor via on-site visits, email, telephone, and or a virtual platform.
• Establish a rapport with NYSCB counselors and professionally communicate verbally or in a written format regarding services that are being provided for their participants.
• Perform case management services required with opening and closing participant cases. This includes all work required on CIS.
• Maintain monthly roster and calendar of services provided to participants and any associated reporting.
• Attend all HKSB staff meetings and any meeting or training that the Associate Executive Director deems appropriate.
• Assist in obtaining contract goals.
• All placement staff are expected to travel and perform services in our Brooklyn, Hempstead, and Islandia offices, visit WET and competitive placement sites, and attend meetings, trainings, and conferences.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

BA in the field of human services (sociology, psychology), human resource experience, and/or job coaching and development experience.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package:

POSITION BENEFITS

• 403(B)
• 403(B) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off.
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Helen Keller Services is an equal opportunity employer.