Salary: $22.00 - $25.00/hour

Schedule: Monday through Friday 

The Employment Program Manager is responsible for guiding the daily operation of the DDS Employment program.  This position is responsible for developing community relationships with the goal of building partnerships for employment opportunities.  He/she will provide training and support the employment team, overall program development and implementation of employment services.  The Manager also assumes overall responsibility for ensuring active daily services and full compliance with all DDS regulations as outlined.

Who We Are

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges. 

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated. 

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

• Adhere to all principles of the Advocates Way.
• Ensure that all program participants’ career interests and preferences have been assessed and participants are assisted in achieving their employment goals.
• Support all aspects of employment opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers located in Massachusetts. Seek to create new employment opportunities through workplace development efforts. 
• Complete individual interviews, assessments, and orientation to program services.
• Assist in developing and implementing job placement plans for program participants.
• Complete job analysis of potential job opportunities.
• Facilitate the interview process with individuals and perspective employers.
• Work with employers, individuals, and support teams to identify training and support needs; provide job site support as needed to remove any barriers to successful employment.
• Provide daily living services/personal care during employment as needed.
• Solicit feedback from employers regarding individual’s work performance and adjusting support plans, as necessary.
• Coordinate individual’s transportation to and from work. As well as, to provide transportation as needed to/from work.
• Maintain open communication regarding program services with individuals, their families, funding source representatives, and other community services.
• Maintain oversight and coordination of case management services and employment services for all program participants ensuring all documentation deadlines are met and appropriate services are provided.
• Ensure individual treatment and service coordination service needs are met as outlined in DDS regulations.
• Assist in the preparation of all contracts related to Employment Services.
• Participate in quality assurance initiatives.
• Maintain individual records as required including timely and thorough completion of all necessary program assessments, progress reports, billing requirements, and other required documents per agency timelines.
• Ensure continuous quality improvement of individualized programs and services using both internal and community resources.
• Ensure all billing is accurately completed and submitted in the required timelines.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of work incentives and laws influencing employment for people with disabilities.
• Provide on-going training and support to staff and program participants consistent with their employment plans.
• Work with staff to ensure that program participants’ job selection, retention, advancement, and career planning are consistent with individual career plans and goals.
• Develop measurable employment outcomes for each participant based upon person centered career development plans.
• Ensure on-going liaison/advocacy/instructional intervention is provided for all program participants at all job sites.
• Actively develop external growth/program development opportunities for Employment Services.
• Attend and actively participate in program meetings and supervision.
• Provide supervision, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for all staff in Employment Services.
• Assist team members with the development of teaching curriculums designed to promote individual growth and increased independence within their employment services.
• Maintain open lines of communication with participants, families, funding sources, consultants, the community at large, program and administrative team.
• Serve as a member of the Day Program Management Team.
• Ensure that individuals we support are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Advocates’ Human Rights Policy.
• Attend trainings as assigned; maintain necessary certifications (CPR, First Aid, Safety Care, HR/DPPC).
• Perform all duties in accordance with the agency’s policies and procedures.

• Bachelor’s degree in human/social services or a related field (psych, special ed or education) and least two years of healthcare and management experience, or in lieu of a degree at least three years employed working with those with developmental disabilities and two years in a management role. 
• Strongly prefer that a candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must possess strong computer knowledge and strong analytical, numerical and reasoning abilities,
• Ability to execute a variety of decision-making models and to multi-task with frequently changing priorities.
• High energy level, excellent interpersonal skills and ability to function in a team atmosphere.
• Must hold a valid drivers’ license.  Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport consumers.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.