Supervise and assist developmentally disabled adults to train and improve vocational skills. Develop and implement programming designed to increase daily living skills and personal and social adjustment. Use paid and simulated work to modify individual work behavior by bringing about achievements and maintenance of acceptable work attitudes, habits and productivity. Monitor all production duties in the department including set-up, quantity and quality checking, work assignments and necessary paperwork. Develop and instruct downtime and work skill activities. Develop, design, implement and revise individual service plans including long and short-term goals. Assist with the preparation and management of all individual case files in accordance with Vocational Guidance Services’ Case Management Procedures and CARF requirements. Ensure all required paperwork is completed such as monthly reports, consumer plans and documentation, program evaluations, and case notes. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Complete payroll of participants and employees.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field; four to ten years related experience. CRC is preferred. Supervisory experience is preferred. Proven experience working with DD population. Demonstrated mediation and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention skills. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills. Proficient with Microsoft Office 2007.

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Part time Administrative Assistant needed to complete clerical work and minor administrative and business detail by performing the following tasks. Read and route incoming mail. Prepare outgoing mail and correspondence, including emails and faxes. Locate and attach appropriate file to correspondence to be answered by employer. Compose and type routine correspondence. Make copies of correspondence or other printed materials. Organize and maintain file system, file correspondence and other records. Coordinate schedules and make appointments. Coordinate and arrange meetings, prepare agendas, reserve and prepare facilities, and record and transcribe minutes of meetings. Answer and screen telephone calls. Greet visitors and conduct to appropriate area or person. Order and maintain supplies, and arrange for equipment maintenance. Arrange and coordinate travel schedules and reservations.

Requirements:

Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school preferred. High School diploma or GED required. At least one year experience as an Administrative Assistant required. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to multi-task while meeting deadlines is required.

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http://abilityone.org/index.html

http://www.redcross.org/

http://www.rsc.ohio.gov/default.htm

http://www.ohiobwc.com/

http://www.cuyahogabdd.org/

http://www.carf.org/home/

http://www.unitedwaycleveland.org/site/c.gpIOKZOxFoG/b.5152581/k.BDC2/Home.htm

http://www.va.gov/

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100000

http://www.osu.edu/

At VGS, Taquilla met with our vocational rehabilitation staff to determine her employment goals and design a plan to accomplish them. Her plan began in our Custodial Work Adjustment Program.  Thanks to this program Taquilla received vocational training through paid work experience and developed critical job keeping behaviors such as punctuality, productivity, and work-appropriate appearance, as well as many others.

Taquilla’s Job Coach/Interpreter noted that she has seen a change in Taquilla and that VGS’ custodial work adjustment training program has enabled her to acquire the proper skills to succeed; Taquilla now understands what is expected of her by her employer. She comes to work on time, in work –appropriate attire, and she works hard to achieve the goals she has set for herself. In fact, her supervisor has noted that her general outlook and behavior have changed a great deal. Taquilla loves working at VGS and recommends that many of her friends who are deaf attend the Work Adjustment Program. 

Today, Taquilla is a member of a custodial crew that is responsible for the daily maintenance of two large facilities (over 130,000 square feet). Taquilla’s custodial supervisor says that “she has become a leader in her program and has even begun to train some of the other consumers who work with her.”

Each year thousands of individuals facing physical/mental disabilities or other barriers to employment come to VGS with hope for a brighter future. Each week 1,000 individuals overcome their barriers and collect a paycheck thanks to the innovative vocational rehabilitation programs and social enterprise work opportunities that are offered at VGS. 

The Maintenance Program at VGS gave Florence the confidence and push she needed to get her life back on track. When asked about the program she stated, “The Maintenance Program gave me the encouragement and confidence to compete with an all male class, which in turn prepared me to deal with an all male workforce. The hands on training and interaction with VGS staff gave me the confidence I needed to get back into the workforce.”

Florence is now happily employed with K&D Management, working in the apartment maintenance department. Her duties include suite preparation for 100 assigned suites, repairs in plumbing and electrical, and kitchen cabinet and granite top installation. She is presently earning a good wage with medical benefits and a 401K plan. When asked to sum up her experience with VGS, Florence said, “I have regained my self-esteem – I feel more confident and secure. It feels great to get up, go to work and come home tired. I feel independent.”

Responsibilities

Job coaches are responsible for providing training in the custodial field for VGS consumers, assisting individuals with the development of appropriate job-keeping behaviors, task analysis, skills to complete specific job tasks, natural supports, and the identification and implementation of reasonable accommodations at the job site. Job coaches assist the program supervisor in the development of an Individualized Success Plan for each consumer, and are responsible for implementing the success plans to aid consumers in achieving measurable objectives. Job coaches implement the appropriate positive behavior interventions and support techniques to enhance each individual’s success.

Qualifications

Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school and six months to one year related experience working with the MR/DD population or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have ability to work independently. Customer service skills, ability to multi-task and excellent verbal and oral communication skills are a plus. Must submit to a background check and drug test.

The position of interest must be specified when applying in order to be considered for employment. If you are interested in applying for this position, please, send cover letter, resume and compensation requirements to:

Human Resources Department
Vocational Guidance Services
2239 East 55th Street, Cleveland, OH 44103
Fax: (216) 881-6132
Email: hr@vgsjob.org

Vocational Guidance Services is an EO/AA Employer M/F/D/V

With limited eyesight in her remaining eye, Geraldine knew that she could not give up and that she did not want to rely on others to take care of her. She started in Sewing Training and Manufacturing Training programs at VGS. She was hired at VGS, working in the contract shop manufacturing Doby Pads. She was eventually laid off due to the loss of the contract. Geraldine was down, but refused to give up. She volunteered at several organizations throughout the city during her time away from work. But that wasn’t enough. She got back in touch with VGS and was able to return to work in the contract shop. “I like working at VGS,” said Geraldine. “I wanted to come back because I knew that I could work and I wanted to work at VGS.”

Geraldine’s commitment and determination has helped her to overcome barriers on her pathway to success and employment in the VGS Sewing Department.

Geraldine has participated in the success of several AbilityOne sewing projects, including the production of Armed Forces dress uniform slacks and skirts. She is also proficient on the surging machine and is currently working in the packaging area where she folds the garments and places them into storage bags to be packed and shipped. She relies on touch and feel to perform her job.

Inspirational people should not go unnoticed and in 2008 Geraldine won the NISH North Central Region William M. Usdane Award. This award recognizes an individual with a severe disability who has exhibited outstanding achievement and exceptional character within an AbilityOne workplace.

Because of her dedication, Geraldine has flourished in an environment where change is constant, as new procedures and techniques are always being introduced. She never complains, just digs in and tries her best to learn her duties and get the job done right. Despite her barriers, Geraldine truly believes that anything is attainable.

Geraldine is in the process of getting her GED and she still finds time to volunteer at a local hospital and an area food bank. Geraldine has a bright spirit and although at first she may seem shy, she presents herself as an example of what individuals with disabilities can do. Geraldine has worked extremely hard to overcome circumstances that would have discouraged anyone else. Above all, she keeps going, despite the fact that her eyesight and hearing are failing. Geraldine doesn’t see her disabilities as  insurmountable challenges. She merely looks at them as hurdles she must overcome on her pathway to a brighter future.

In the months to come, he had to endure grueling therapy to regain most of his motor skills. He was very discouraged and thought he may never be able to put his life back together. Gainful employment was out of the question as far as he was concerned.
That is until he was referred to Vocational Guidance Services through the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Dwight was entered into the Work Evaluation program where his instructor worked with him to explore job possibilities and transferable skills. She was helpful in finding a new direction for him since his stroke and encouraged him to explore employment in the customer service field. Dwight was then placed in the Customer Service/Call Center Training Program at VGS. Dwight attributes VGS staff with being instrumental in keeping him focused and helping him throughout training. Initially he was unsure about doing telemarketing and customer service, but through the support of his Placement Consultant, Dwight was placed at Preferred Marketing.

Within a year, Dwight moved from his position as a telemarketer to one as the assistant manager of the call center. Dwight is extremely thankful to VGS and feels he has overcome many obstacles because of the tremendous encouragement and assistance he received.

Despite the troubled economy, VGS continues to find new contracts that enable the organization to serve more individuals with barriers to employment. This year there have already been 11 new contracts/programs that will serve 27 additional consumers.  There are currently close to 30 additional opportunities that are being considered that would allow over 700 additional consumers annually to be served.

Since 2005, VGS has been the largest provider of custodial services at The Ohio State University. Starting in July, VGS will provide custodial services for 50 buildings and provide employment opportunities for 150 individuals with disabilities. The additional buildings were contracted to VGS because of the superior work of VGS consumers at all of the buildings on campus.

Other contracts around Ohio include providing custodial services for buildings at NASA in Brook Park and for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus. The Power Sewing Operations have several contracts in addition to making the military garments. Quite a few of our contracts have been from entrepreneurs that are in need of quality products and have a passion for helping individuals with disabilities