Employment Specialist

If you’re looking for meaningful, hands-on work where you can truly see the impact of what you do, this role is for you. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll support individuals with disabilities as they prepare for work, secure employment, and build long-term success.   You’ll spend time out in the community coaching clients, collaborating with employers, and celebrating real wins as people reach their goals. With strong leadership support, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for growth, this is more than a job; it’s a chance to build a fulfilling career while making a real difference every day.   This is a full-time, hybrid position based at our Tampa office, supporting clients throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, including Clearwater, Seminole, St. Petersburg, and Largo. The hybrid schedule includes a combination of on-site work, work from home, and in-field support and coaching for the clients we serve.   Overview Responsibilities: Pursues employment for individuals with disabilities by various business development efforts. Including pursues job leads, monitoring open positions they have available and what the requirements/qualifications are for those open positions and attending job fairs. Acts as liaison with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to facilitate appropriate services and supports to individuals served. Acts as liaison with the individual’s family, Support Coordinator, group home or guardian when appropriate and helps guide them in their role of finding and maintaining employment for the individual with a disability. Advocates for the employment of individuals with disabilities and the mission of Quest by providing disability awareness training/guidance and benefits to potential/current employers.  Facilitates and participates in all aspects of initial employment for the individual with a disability, including but not limited to, travel training or transportation options, work schedules, employer paperwork, pre-hire requirements (i.e., drug testing, background screening, etc.) and new hiring training. Provides on-site training and support to the individual after their new hiring training to ensure the individual’s acquisition and retention of job duties.  Develops appropriate, customized, training tools to assist individual in their new position. Negotiates and acts as a mediator with the individual’s manager, when appropriate, to resolve skill or employment issues and maintain individual’s employment. Facilitates transition of individuals hired from Employment Services (VR) to Follow Along Services (APD) as appropriate. Completes required documentation including progress notes, service notes and all contact with the individual with the disability and others related to individual’s case.    Qualifications: Four years’ experience or employment in a public vocational rehabilitation program; experience in job placement, job coaching, or counseling; or other related experience working with persons with disabilities OR A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as rehabilitation, counseling, social work, psychology, education, human resources, business administration, or economics, and one year of experience as described above OR A master’s degree in a related field and six months’ experience OR An associate’s degree and two years’ experience Valid Florida Driver’s License with clean driving record at all times Able to work in the US and not require Visa Sponsorship now or in the future   Why Quest, Inc.For over 60 years, Quest, Inc. has empowered individuals with developmental disabilities to live full, independent lives. Make a meaningful impact while enjoying great benefits, growth opportunities, and a mission‑driven culture where your work truly matters.    Benefits Information Stay healthy with enhanced coverage – medical insurance includes an HRA, premium discounts, wellness credits, free virtual visits, free Minute Clinic visits, free imaging, and surgery Full smile & clear vision – dental and vision plans to keep you covered head to toe Security for you and your family – company-paid life and disability insurance coverage, plus long-term disability at no cost to you Short-term coverage when you need it – short-term disability for life’s unexpected moments Invest in your future – 401(k) with a company match to grow your retirement savings Extra protection, your choice – voluntary accident and hospitalization coverage available Save smarter – flexible spending accounts (FSA) to help your dollars go further Support for life’s challenges – confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help you and yours Keep learning and growing- tuition assistance and tuition reimbursement to help you advance your education and career   Quest, Inc. is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.  It is the policy of Quest to grant equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, marital status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal statute.   Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. https://info.flclearinghouse.com