Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist

Salary: $68,000 to $75,000 Annually

Summary

Join VISIONS as an Employment Specialist, building inclusive employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. You will cultivate employer partnerships, design accessible hiring pathways, and develop innovative workforce initiatives—empowering independence and workplace inclusion.

Why You’ll Love Working at VISIONS

• Mission-driven team environment committed to visibility and impact
• Generous benefits: health, dental and vision insurance with minimal cost to the employee. Retirement plan with 5% employer match after the first year of employment with no employee match required. four weeks paid vacation + wellness time.
• Ongoing training in assistive tech, disability inclusion, and workforce best practices
• Room to grow: career-oriented coaching and internal advancement opportunities
• Flexible and inclusive workplace with accommodations provided throughout the hiring and employment process

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and engage prospective companies to champion inclusive hiring
• Consult with area chambers of commerce, workforce 1 centers, government agencies, and all local employers regarding potential employment opportunities
• Co-create customized internship, training, and job placement programs with employers
• Host employer events (e.g., workshops, networking mixers, ETC.)
• Track and report employer engagement metrics and job placement outcomes
• Collaborate with VISIONS program staff to ensure candidates are job-ready and well-matched to competitive jobs
• Represent VISIONS at community events, job fairs, and partner meetings
• Prepare and offer workshops for work readiness/soft skills trainings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in counseling, nonprofit management, rehabilitation counseling or a related field Or five-years of experience in workforce development services for persons with disabilities
• Demonstrated success in employer engagement with quantifiable outcomes
• Proficiency with assistive technologies and inclusive recruiting best practices are a plus
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Experience working with people who are blind or visually impaired preferred but not required
• The workforce team provides services to blind and legally blind individuals in the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley, Long Island and several counties in New Jersey. The Employment specialist will provide services primarily in New York City, but may be required to travel to some of the other coverage areas on as an as-needed basis.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter describing your vision for inclusive hiring and your relevant experience to Heather Hanlon, Senior Director of Workforce Programs and Data Analysis, at hhanlon@visionsvcb.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

VISIONS is a ninety-nine-year-old not for profit rehabilitation and social service agency incorporated in 1926. VISIONS provides service for blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area.

All job candidates, consultants and volunteers 18 years of age and older, must consent to a background investigation including a criminal justice system search, reference and education checks.

VISIONS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and is committed to have a workforce that reflects the community that it serves.