Occupational Communications Specialist - American Sign Language

Program: Minnesota Employment Center (MEC)

Location(s): Hybrid-Remote, supporting Central Minnesota and the North Metro region. Candidates must reside within the Central Minnesota/North Metro service area to effectively support operations. Regular travel throughout the assigned territory is required.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, hours vary between 7am - 4:30pm
Wage: $22.81 - $26.07 per hour, depending on qualifications

Occupational Communications Specialist 1: $22.81 - $24.41

Occupational Communications Specialist 2: $24.37 - $26.07

Reports to: Program Supervisor/ Program Manager

At Rise, we believe that everyone deserves opportunities to live a life filled with purpose and pride. In our employment, housing, and life-enrichment services, we support people to set and achieve their personal goals. As a nonprofit, every Rise team member is driven by our mission. That shared commitment is the foundation of a workplace that embraces a culture of learning and growth by offering extensive training, competitive salaries, and a fun work environment. We are an inspiring leader in disability services that wants to make a real difference in people’s lives!

Position Summary

This position is for the Minnesota Employment Center for People who are Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing, a program of Rise, Inc. The Occupational Communication Specialist provides pre-placement, job placement, training and long-term employment support to Minnesotans with hearing loss who may also experience other barriers to employment. This position requires reliable transportation and the ability to travel in the community for up to 75% of the time. It also has a hybrid work option.

Responsibilities

• Support persons served to obtain and maintain fulfilling and rewarding competitive jobs.
• Provide individualized job placement services through regular meetings with person served to work on job seeking skills, preparing resumes and cover letters and interviewing.
• Actively cultivate competitive job opportunities with businesses and employers in the community as appropriate.
• Equip and empower individuals to be successful in their new job opportunity through ongoing support and relationship with employers
• Adapt communication style to effectively match that of the person served.
• Train individuals to meet employer expectations including appropriate behaviors and production standards.
• Help persons served manage their symptoms well at work site.
• Advocate on behalf of individual with employer regarding job accommodations.
• Responsible for maintaining a caseload of 8-10 people while tracking and documenting a variety of data about services provided as well as billing through electronic case management systems.
• Utilize person centered thinking and motivational interviewing to best engage with person served.
• Approach services with a trauma-informed lens.