Job description

Who we are:

At Challenge Unlimited, our vision is to become a national leader in providing employment services to people with disabilities that empower them to reach their full potential. We intentionally provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities which will assist them to live, work, and participate in the community.

Challenge Unlimited is driven by its core values: community, helpfulness, abilities, leadership, learning, ethics, innovation, growth, and effective outcomes. It is these values that have powered Challenge Unlimited to its success and has helped over 600 disabled individuals find meaningful work across all of our locations.

Our mission is to provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities and we are intentional about hiring candidates with disabilities.

Position Summary

We are currently hiring a Full-time Director of Employment Services in Alton, Illinois

Schedule Monday - Friday, 8a - 4:30p + flexible to job demands

Travel Required 10-25%, primarily between work sites

Reporting to the EVP of Programs, the Director of Employment Services is responsible for community-based employment services programs which provide people who have different abilities opportunities to work with integrated teams and receive work support as needed—achieving the highest level of independence possible.

The Director oversees the employment services of job placement, coaching, assessment, and case management for individuals with disabilities at community customer sites; manages contract billing and compliance with agency contracts and government reporting regulations; evaluates client services, ensuring accurate documentation and regulatory compliance; provides administrative support and services for the budget, building and equipment needs; oversees employment services’ new business and grant opportunities; effectively leads the team.

Promotes the agency to the public, interviews applicants for program services, ensures the collection of proper documentation and reporting duties for policy and regulatory compliance. Supervises Placement Services and Supported Employment coordinators, along with supervises and manages activities of Coordinator – Intake and Recruitment.

Challenge Unlimited manages the Program Services division through KPI's, goals and overall metric.

The company offers a full continuum of services for persons with disabilities, including residential, community day programs and employment services. The Director of Employment Services will drive the overall delivery of client services for the Department, including recruiting, assessment, and assistance in entry into a service of choice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Client Relations. Promote a culture of person-centered services that advances the Company’s mission to provide quality care and services in a community-based setting to individuals with disabilities. Assist individual development by encouraging, empowering, and engaging clients in community-based work activities to teach independent living, self-confidence, communication, and practical skills. Ensure a high rate of client satisfaction. Recruit, screen, and interview prospective clients. Coordinate staff to assist clients with work skills and behavior to improve performance and to prepare for and begin competitive community employment. Monitor client progress; gather feedback and assessments from work site supervisors. Maintain information updates on clients with supervisory staff and funding agencies. Assist ES staff to advocate on behalf of the clients and assist in resolving issues. Plan, organize, and oversee the recruitment of Programs clients to ensure we meet client recruitment goals and fill client vacancies throughout Programs in a timely manner. Routinely contact and network with local agencies, businesses, high schools, residential

2. Operational Management. Plan, organize, and supervise the delivery of services to Employment Services (ES) clients. Ensure ES maintains high program enrollment/participation levels and provides high-quality service while meeting the needs of clients. Monitor and direct the provision of services for clients in relation to the requirements in each contract (Placement, Support Employment, Vocational Assessment, Title XX, agreements with Distribution Centers, Community College Partnerships, Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation and Missouri Department of Mental Health-DD Division). Maintain accurate and timely reports and billing to funding agencies and communicate key information to the EVP of Programs in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner. Ensure CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and state regulatory guidelines are met. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable regulatory statutes.

3. Client Recruitment, Evaluations, and Intakes Plan, organize, and oversee the recruitment of Programs clients to ensure we meet client recruitment goals and fill client vacancies throughout Programs in a timely manner. Routinely contact and network with local agencies, businesses, high schools, residential providers/responsible parties, and other referral sources of individuals with disabilities to fill openings within Programs department in a timely manner. Maintain a professional, positive image and attitude regarding clients, management, and staff. Develop and direct social media strategy. Schedule appointments with individuals with disabilities, and applicable guardians, interested in receiving services for the Programs department. Provide an overview of the Company, services available, and career opportunities/development and training. Interview each individual and document disability, employment, personal, education, and medication history, and job and training interests. Send releases and request letters to medical and psychological providers and high school counselors to obtain supporting documentation of individual’s disability. Ensure clear, timely, and complete communication flows between Intake/Recruitment, Programs contacts, parents/guardians, associated agencies, resolving issues as they arise. Complete and oversee the process to start services for Individuals. Review and forward applicant Intake information to match clients to appropriate Programs Service department. Coordinate with staff to ensure services offered to clients are appropriate and a smooth client transition into the appropriate program(s). Ensure a high rate of client satisfaction.

4. Budget. Develop budgets and review financial reports as requested/assigned by the EVP. Review Employment Services’ budget, monitoring and controlling labor, supply, training materials, building maintenance, and other expenses for sites, and advising managers on spending and meeting financial goals within established budgetary guidelines. Make recommendations and project estimates on revenue and expenses for future months and fiscal year. Propose capital expenditures and submit capital expenditure requests to EVP for review/consideration.

5. Administrative Support. Oversee SEP/Placement services with area businesses by developing professional relationships and maintaining open, regular communications with key contacts. Resolve complaints or deficiencies. Investigate and make recommendations for cases of abuse or neglect of funded clients. Develop and/or update Standard Business Practices and Standard Operating Procedures to ensure safety, quality, satisfaction, and efficiencies to support continued quality service delivery and growth. Assist with development of program growth through grant opportunities and new program areas, working with different funding sources as being the lead contact and startup liaison for the ES Department. Represent the company in community/public relations events as needed. Maintain knowledge of changes in the rehabilitation/employment field, best practices, and new grant opportunities by attending conferences, inter-agency meetings and researching other information sources.

6. Effective Team Leadership. Lead team and place people in positions to succeed. Hire, train, and empower top-notch leaders to effectively oversee their areas of responsibility. Encourage effective outcomes and accountability. Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate assigned sites’ activities and performance. Communicate job expectations. Plan, monitor, and appraise job results; evaluate team for continual improvement, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and effectiveness. Initiate, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies, and procedures. Mentor and develop the team through training, problem resolution, and performance evaluation. Supplement Placement Specialists’ efforts as needed to provide the services needed to meet contractual obligations. Conduct monthly staff PBL and safety meetings and individual consultations. Communicate regularly with staff on client updates and workplace changes. Build an effective Company culture that embodies our Company values to achieve optimum performance levels and achieve goals and objectives.

Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in human service-related field.

Experience: 5+ years’ experience with people with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness, 3+ years of which were at a management level.

Certifications/Licenses: CPR, 1st Aid, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) training provided by the company must be successfully completed within the first 4 months to be certified and annually thereafter for CPR, 1st Aid and CPI to maintain the position.

Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Experience with payroll and case management software is preferred.

Background Checks: Must pass criminal background check. Must pass various State and Federal registry checks. Must pass DCFS Abuse and Neglect Tracking System check Must pass driving history check and Company policy criteria, maintain valid driver’s license and be 21 or older to drive.

Driving: Company travel using a personal insured vehicle is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sitting Occasionally sitting in the in the normal course of office-sedentary type work.

Standing Occasionally standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and twisting in the normal course of office-sedentary type work and for training workers.

Hearing, Speaking Frequently listening to and speaking with managers, staff, and clients to communicate about requests, training needs and other concerns.

Seeing Continually visually alert to monitor, to read and write or type documents, observe employee and client interactions, and communicate with all.

Handling Frequently using hands in writing and typing, and general office work.

Movement Kneeling is required to perform CPR practice sessions, complete skills testing and use as required. Occasionally bending, reaching, and twisting; occasionally climbing stairs and/or ladders squatting.

Lifting May need to lift or carry up to 50 lbs. to assist a client to their feet from a lying or sitting position, to help with walking or for the Client to change positions.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D
• 401K plus company match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• On call

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Alton, IL: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: One location

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