Supported Employment Director

The Hive Director

Organization: The Hive @ Raphael Village

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130

Reports to: The Executive Director of Raphael Village

Summary of Job Description: The Hive Director is a leadership role responsible for maintaining and enhancing The Hive: Supported Employment Program (SEP) at Raphael Village, in collaboration with the Executive Director (ED). This full-time, salaried exempt position requires a commitment to Raphael Village’s core value: that meaningful employment is a possibility for any person interested in working.

This multifaceted position requires exceptional organizational skills, experience in planning and budgeting, and proficiency in Google Suite (including Google Slides/PowerPoint, Google Sheets/Excel, and Google Docs/Word). Additionally, the ideal candidate for the SED role should possess sharp observational skills, a professional demeanor, and an engaging, outgoing personality. The SED may occasionally need to work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ support needs at their workplaces and to conduct interviews across various settings.

While much of the director’s time will be spent in the community, either supporting clients or engaging with businesses, an office space will also be provided. Regular meetings with the Executive Director will be held weekly or bi-weekly to review the program's progress toward its goals and objectives.

The SED will also collaborate closely with The Guild at Raphael Village’s Program Director to transition interested Guild Members into competitive employment opportunities within the community. This includes assisting in the creation of internships with for-profit companies, with the goal of discovering the right fields of work for Guild Members and ultimately securing meaningful and sustainable employment in the community.

1. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
   1. Prior experience in the field of supported employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including state agencies, invoicing LRS, job development, employer engagement, client assessment, and client support, is preferred
   2. Familiarity with other state and federal-funded programs related to supported employment, such as WIPA and LWCC
   3. Ability to represent and promote Raphael Village within the community, including at local neighborhood business association meetings, the City of New Orleans, the Chamber of Commerce, and other business associations identified by the Hive and Executive Director
   4. Experience or knowledge of relationship building with potential employers, LRS staff, and Medicaid staff on an ongoing basis
   5. Experience in building strong client relationships (and with their families) to understand individual needs and the best fit for employment goals
   6. Conduct client interviews to ascertain interests and abilities through standardized assessments, personal interviews, and observations
   7. Conduct job searches on behalf of each client in alignment with their assessment
   8. Promote supported employment to prospective employers, emphasizing client dependability, ongoing support and follow-up, government-sponsored employment incentive programs, tax advantages, and guaranteed quality of work
   9. Assist clients with filling out job applications, attending interviews, negotiating wages and hours, arranging transportation, and understanding employer rules and benefits
   10. Develop a job/task analysis with job duties and sequences for the client
   11. Begin systematic instruction of job tasks, involving supervisors and co-workers in the training process as much as possible
   12. Record client performance and submit monthly progress reports
   13. Have the employer complete written evaluations of the client’s job performance and respond as necessary
   14. Be prepared to return to the job site anytime for client re-training
   15. Begin gradual fading from the job site once all job tasks are completed independently and meet company/employer standards
   16. Monitor client performance weekly by communicating with supervisors and co-workers and by completing task analytic probes, production rate recordings, and on-task observations
2. ADDITIONAL JOB EXPECTATIONS
   1. Carry a caseload of approximately 10 clients (LRS & Medicaid Waiver)
   2. Oversee and train new Career Specialists who will manage their own caseloads once the number of clients exceeds 10
   3. Collaborate with Guild personnel to ensure ongoing follow-along services are provided to all clients

Interested candidates should submit a resume and include a brief letter of interest summarizing relevant experience.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Meet the educational and training qualifications required by Louisiana Rehabilitative Services (LRS) to serve as the Hive Director, including a bachelor’s degree and two years of documented experience providing rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. Experience areas may include social services, teaching, vocational counseling, employment counseling, psychiatric counseling, social services counseling, recreation therapy, art therapy, music therapy, physical therapy, or rehabilitation evaluation.
• Completion of a 40-hour university-based core Supported Employment training is required or within 1 year of hire, at company expense.
• A certificate of completion of LRS Employment Specialist Training is preferred.
• Proficient in Google Suite (Google Slides/PowerPoint, Google Sheets/Excel, Google Docs/MS Word).
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational, analytical, and time management skills.
• Documentation of supervisory or leadership training.
• Ability to engage effectively with clients with disabilities in a way that supports their growth and development.
• Current CPR certification is preferred but not required.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and provide proof of insurance.

An Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Raphael Village considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital or veteran status, or any legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship.