Youth Employment Coordinator

The Ability Center (ACT) is a non-profit Center for Independent Living. Together, we will work to make our community the most disability friendly in the nation by increasing independence for people with disabilities, discovering true passions, and changing the community’s perception of disability.

As a member of the Independent Living team, the Youth Employment Coordinator will focus on job preparation and job placement for youth with disabilities. This position will work with Ability Center staff and community partners to support consumers’ volunteer and employment goals in the community. They will also work to empower consumers to self-advocate for other social services necessary to achieve competitive and meaningful employment. The Youth Employment Coordinator will serve as a liaison to employers, service agencies, and individuals with disabilities ages 13-24 and their families.

Essential Responsibilities
• Assist young adults with skills training necessary to prepare for competitive volunteer and employment opportunities.
• Facilitate skills training sessions that focus on employability skills, self-advocacy, and leadership skills.
• Serve as a consumer advocate to empower consumers to advocate for services from other employment providers.
• Develop relationships with area businesses to ensure inclusive volunteer and employment opportunities are available.
• Will implement and oversee the regional Youth Leadership Forum.
• Develop a system for tracking consumers who have successfully completed programs or have achieved employment.
• Will link consumers to other community resources for additional vocational skills training as needed based on goals.
• Responsible for participating in Independent Living Plan meetings with the consumer and parent/guardian and develop goals.
• Will be responsible for managing a consumer caseload, and track Independent Living goals and outcomes.
• Maintain effective and positive working relationships with all staff, agency service providers, schools, and businesses.
• Participate and attend outreach events related to youth with disabilities.
• Must have reliable transportation with the ability to travel independently to the Toledo office, consumer/community locations, seminars, and/or professional meetings.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree preferred in Human Services. Prefer employee have at least 2-4 years’ experience working with transition age youth, which includes workforce development, vocational education, job coaching, and skills training. Previous teaching or training experience preferred. Must demonstrate excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport. Knowledge of disability and employment resources/agencies in the community highly desired. Must have experience planning, coordinating, and training individuals and groups, preferably with disabilities. Must be goal oriented and display the ability to motivate others.

Essential Physical Demands

The employee in this position will need to remain stationary for periods of time while working in a workstation, office, or at a desk. The employee will operate/use a phone, computer, copier, and printer. The employee in this position frequently communicates with others and may do so in various ways as able. They may converse, convey, and exchange accurate information via phone, text, written, e-mail, or face to face. The employee may frequently move from one office space to another, meeting spaces, and occasionally from one building to another. The employee may have to move office items/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee may operate a personal and/or company owned vehicle.

At the Ability Center, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of belonging by changing perceptions, and discovering true passions. Our employees are our most valuable asset. Your life experiences, self-expression, and unique capabilities represents our team, and the diverse communities we serve.

ACT is an equal opportunity employer.
The Ability Center is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package.

Please visit the careers page of our website to apply or fax resume to 419-885-5005