Title: UNT WISE Employment Specialist (DALLAS-BASED POSITION)

Employee Classification: UNT WISE Employment Specialist

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Col of Health & Public Servic

Department: UNT-UNTWISE - Workplace Inclusion-135351

Job Location: Dallas

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

The College of Health and Public Service (HPS) at the University of North Texas, distinguished as one of the few Tier One research universities designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), prepares graduates to address diverse and complex social issues such as aging, disability, disaster management and recovery, criminal justice, health disparities, and public safety, and find solutions to challenges in public administration, public health, and urban design. We have seven academic departments with undergraduate and graduate programs, the Center for Public Management, the UNT Speech and Hearing Center, the UNT Work Inclusion and Supported Employment (UNT WISE) program, and a number of professional development and clinical training programs to facilitate careers to address a global society.

HPS students are trained to lead nonprofits, become educators, researchers and professionals who strengthen the diverse communities we serve, with thoughtful, inclusive, and equitable practices as audiologists, behavior analysts, city managers, emergency managers, health care administrators, public safety administrators, public health specialists, rehabilitation counselors, speech language pathologists, social workers, urban planners, and more.

UNT WISE is the premier training and consultancy group for programs seeking to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. We conduct training, host conferences and provide technical assistance to community rehabilitation programs (CRP) and organizations serving individuals with disabilities. UNT WISE provides more than 100 training events, serving more than 2,300 individuals, annually.

Position Overview

The UNT WISE Employment Specialist (ES) is a grant-funded position through the Rehabilitation Services Administrations (RSA) Disability Innovation Fund (DIF). The position is part of the Texas SWTCIE (Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment) demonstration project that aims to have an impact of subminimum wage employment for people with disabilities.

The ES works as part of a team to support individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive employment. This can include, but is not limited to, researching potential employment opportunities and assistive technology, assessing training needs, evaluating opportunities and natural supports, and supporting individuals to achieve maximum independence on the job. It involves working with schools, service agencies, and businesses in developing systems for assisting clients to be successful at work. The ES works with considerable independence, requiring strong organizational, case management, and interpersonal skills. Experience with TWSVRS services, Medicaid waiver systems and processes, and familiarity with intellectual disability, autism, and behavioral health diagnoses preferred.

The individual selected will be required to obtain credentials through UNT WISE including, Director, Job Skills Training, Job Placement, Supported Employment and Work Readiness as well as endorsements for Autism, Blind and others as they are developed. This position will be an embedded position located in Dallas with one of the projects partner sites, with required travel to other locations and mandatory meetings at the UNT Denton campus occasionally.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in social services or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates technical writing ability specific to the rehabilitation field, assisting with resume writing, job applications, case management and other service areas.
• Completes person-centered planning to tailor individualized supports for clients.
• Demonstrates experience with available community resources relating to the potential employment of persons with disabilities to assist in training and placement for work in the private and public sectors.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to develop employer relationships, allowing for participation in training and employment programs for persons with disabilities. Must coordinate needs of individual employers with available community resources.
• Exhibits professional level of knowledge in vocational counseling for individuals with disabilities, including youth and people with developmental disabilities and/or psychiatric disabilities. Must be able to evaluate employment abilities of program participants.
• Possesses knowledge of community, service agencies (local and state), federal agencies, financial benefit programs (SS, SSDI,
• Workers Compensation) and Possesses knowledge of ADA and other employment/disability legislation, i.e., education, employment, accessibility, consumer rights, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

Completion of a master's degree in social services or related fields. CRC preferred.

Job Duties:

• Effectively communicates with stakeholders (UNT WISE, schools, 14cs, TWCVR, businesses and others) to maintain collaborative efforts supporting clients.
• Demonstrates technical writing ability specific to the rehabilitation field, assisting with resume writing, job applications, case management and other service areas.
• Completes person-centered planning to tailor individualized supports for clients.
• Demonstrates experience with available community resources relating to the potential employment of persons with disabilities to assist in training and placement for work in the private and public sectors.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to develop employer relationships, allowing for participation in training and employment programs for persons with disabilities. Must coordinate needs of individual employers with available community resources.
• Exhibits professional level of knowledge in vocational counseling for individuals with disabilities, including youth and people with developmental disabilities and/or psychiatric disabilities. Must be able to evaluate employment abilities of program participants.)
• Possesses knowledge of community, service agencies (local and state), federal agencies, financial benefit programs (SS, SSDI, Workers Compensation).
• Possesses knowledge of ADA and other employment/disability legislation, i.e., education, employment, accessibility, consumer rights, etc.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm with flexibility required to accommodate events, trainings and some travel.

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

• Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 
• Resume and cover letter required.

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.