Employment Outreach Specialist

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

EMPLOYMENT OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
400 West Congress Street, Tucson, Arizona 85701
www.azdes.gov

Posting Details:

Salary: $19.4691 - $27.1410/ hourly ($40,495.72 - $56,453.28 annually) 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: Open until sufficient resumes are received

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES, please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) strengthens Arizona communities by bridging and minimizing gaps to employment and independence.

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Employment Outreach Specialist with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). This position is responsible for the coordination of employer outreach and employment related activities for clients. This includes comprehensive job placement services to individuals with disabilities and assisting businesses to identify workforce recruitment needs that can be met with individuals with disabilities that are involved with the VR program. This position includes outreach to employers, coordination of the efforts of local employment specialists, leading initiatives to improve and advance employment activities in Vocational Rehabilitation, working as a team with other regional employment coordinators/ job centers. The Human Services Program Development Specialist will develop partnerships with the Workforce System, as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with the goal of preparing individuals with disabilities for successful entry into the competitive workforce and towards greater independence by meeting business needs.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona, unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with business and community entities to expand employment for people with disabilities.
• Provides public relations and outreach to employers and coordinates with VR staff.
• Provides job readiness skill training to VR clients, case management, job search assistance, placement, retention, facilitates client communication with partners and local stakeholders.
• Assist with the design, development and maintenance, including ongoing consultation, training and mentoring to VR counselors, supervisors and employers.
• Completes reporting documents and tracks referrals and placements.
• Partners with local area business service team members to meet local employer needs and prevent duplication of efforts utilizing partners.
• Provides subject matter expertise and technical assistance to external partners.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of Case Documentation
• Knowledge of effective job search methods, job preparation techniques, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of labor market information and in demand industries and occupations; effective recruitment, retention and workforce development methodologies applicable to businesses, social, cultural and economic conditions that impact the populations and area(s) served.
• Skills in Written and Oral communication
• Must be proficient in MS Office suites and Google products
• Ability to provide continuous improvement for staff and team to deliver quality services.
• Ability to work with diverse populations including individuals with disabilities.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities in job placement services.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• Employee shall have a valid Level One Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Travel will be required for State business. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on State business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on State business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code [A.A.C.] R2-10-207.11).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Anthony Haeg at (623) 301-0437 or email ahaeg@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (623) 301-0437 or emailing ahaeg@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

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