EMPLOYMENT SERVICES MANAGER for Members with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)

Join Our Mission: 

Are you looking to lead with heart and make a real impact in the community? The Opportunity Tree is seeking an Employment Services Manager to lead our efforts in supporting individuals with disabilities through innovative employment programs. This leadership role will oversee the development and implementation of services aimed at enhancing the employment outcomes of the individuals we serve, focusing on both Group Supported Employment (GSE) and Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) programs. Come be a part of our mission to cultivate an inclusive workplace where everyone has the chance to shine!

Who Are We?

The Opportunity Tree is committed to promoting the development of a society that fully embraces individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through inclusion, advocacy, and opportunities. We have roots in Phoenix, Casa Grande, Maricopa, and Avondale; we nurture growth, celebrate abilities, and advocate fiercely for our members' right to fulfilling employment.

The Position:

• Steer the ship of our employment services, aligning every program with our core mission.
• Be the face and voice of the Employment First philosophy, spreading the word about the value of inclusive work opportunities.
• Partner with our CEO to shape policies that open doors and build bridges to employment for people with I/DD.
• Oversee programs that help individuals prepare for, secure, and excel in their jobs.
• Inspire a team that's as passionate about our mission as you are.
• Innovate and adapt, ensuring every individual we support can access the services they need to succeed.
• Work at all four (4) Day Program facilies and various educational setting.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off 

$1,000 hiring bonus for new hires, paid after approximately six months; other incentives for referring full or part time employees who are hired to work at The Opportunity Tree. 

Essential Job Functions: 

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and operation of SEEDS Employment Services department. 
2. Carry out supervisory and administrative responsibilities including planning, scheduling, and implementing Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Developmental Disabilities employment services in conjunction with contract requirements and TOT policies and procedures, to ensure services are delivered in complete compliance with all regulatory requirements. 
3. Supervise daily operations of Employment Support Specialists (ESS) to ensure that: high quality employment services are being regularly delivered to agency Members, all service-related documentation is properly completed and submitted, appropriate and relevant trainings are pursued and maintained, and programmatic, administrative, and personnel issues are addressed. 
4. Effectively manage departmental resources to ensure ESS employees are implementing services appropriate to the needs of SEEDS Members, that caseloads are equitably distributed, that Members are enrolled into services in timely fashion, and that ESS are maximizing service delivery. 
5. Accompany Members and ESSES to job sites and/or other locations of service delivery for the purpose of monitoring services delivery, problem-solving, quality assurance/improvement, etc. 
6. Manage, direct and supervise the implementation of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) in Exceptional Student Services (aka Special Education) school classrooms and in the community.  Duties include but are not limited to ensuring all requisite documentation is properly completed and accounted for, supervising the implementation of Pre-ETS instructional workshops, delivering Pre-ETS instructional services as required, and expanding the provision of Pre-ETS services to eligible Members.  
7. Ensure all required documents for Member-related services are submitted promptly, accurately, and regularly to the Finance Department. 
8. Responsible for the expansion of Supported Employment Services by actively recruiting job seeking Members into the program from other areas of the agency, responding to referrals sent from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and generating community-based referrals. 
9. Coordinate services including reviewing referral information, conducting intakes and completing initial evaluation of people referred to and accepted for services, and attending Member meetings with Support Coordinators and/or VR Counselors. 
10. Establish and maintain high standards for direct services related to supported employment, ensuring that individuals with I/DD receive exceptional support throughout the entire employment process. 
11. Manage activities related to the quality assurance, service objectives and performance outcomes of department.  Ensure departmental compliance with TOT policies and procedures. 
12. In conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), develop and maintain SEEDS Employment Services policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws and contract requirements. 
13. Regularly assess program effectiveness, monitor fiscal aspects of department, collect data, and analyze performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes to enhance service quality. 
14. Collaborate with Site Based Managers and Services Coordinators on scheduling of supported employment services with successful braiding of contracted services. 
15. Promote and maintain a collaborative and respectful working environment and line of communication with all stakeholders of The Opportunity Tree. 
16. Attend all required meetings and trainings. 
17. Serve as an advocate for the Employment First philosophy, both internally within the organization and externally in the community by engaging and educating Members, families, and community employers about the value of inclusive and competitive employment opportunities for individuals with I/DD. 
18. Other job duties as assigned. 

 Minimum Requirements 

1. Minimum 18 years of age 
2. Valid driver license with Non-Restricted Motor Vehicle Record and compliance with the requirements of The Opportunity Tree’s insurance carrier. 
3. Successfully meet AZ-DPS requirements for IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card. 
4. Fluent in speaking, writing and reading English. 
5. Meets one of the following: Master’s degree in human services or related field (Vocational Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, etc.) and documented one (1) year of full-time employment working with individuals with disabilities; or Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field (Psychology, Special Education, Social Services, etc.) and two (2) years of full-time employment working with individuals with disabilities; or High school diploma or GED and five (5) years of full-time documented employment working with individuals with disabilities. 
6. Training or work experience in: disability awareness which may include deafness, blindness, physical, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, intellectual, developmental, serious mental illness, etc.; identifying strengths and capabilities of individuals with disabilities to be successful in employment. This may include recognizing barriers and solutions to those barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from gaining employment; strategies necessary for achieving successful, long-term employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and how these strategies will lead to improved employment outcomes.  
7. Intermediate knowledge of MS Office, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, and other related software. 
8. Personal enthusiasm for participation in a non-profit organization, which provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
9. Positive attitude and ability to represent The Opportunity Tree effectively in the community. 
10. Ability to work collaboratively as a team member with Members, staff, families, funders and stakeholders. 
11. Successful completion and maintain all required training which may include CPR, First Aid, Article 9 and Prevention and Support. 
12. The ability to utilize data to assist in making financial, strategic, and programmatic decisions. 
13. Knowledge of intellectual disabilities and best practice models for community integration.
14. Supervisory experience including but not limited to knowledge of management principles in staff interaction and task productivity, leadership abilities, problem identification and resolution administration.