Career Development Advisor

Dynamic Diversity – Caring Collaboration – Individual Integrity –Community Connection

Career Development Advisor

Full Time

New Haven, CT, US

Requisition ID: 1791

Salary Range: $60,000 To $65,000 Salary

Schedule: 40 hours/wk., M-F 9 am – 5 pm

Chapel Haven Schleifer Center is an award-winning nonprofit company devoted to empowering adults with disabilities to live independent and self-determined lives. We believe self-advocacy supports the growth of our individuals and collaborate with them to create services that foster independence. In 2022, we celebrated 50 years of excellence in the field of disabilities and continue our dedication to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you share our core values of dynamic diversity, caring collaboration, individual integrity, and community connection, we want to hear from you!

Why consider a career at CHSC?

• Comprehensive benefits: Full-time employees receive a complete benefits package, including paid time off and tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible Opportunities: Part- time employees enjoy a flexible schedule, valuable hands-on experience, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the individuals we support. Select Benefits may also be available. 
• Room for growth: We offer a professional yet warm and welcoming workplace with opportunities for career advancement
• Staff longevity and Development: over 50% of our staff have been with us for 5+ plus years, many of whom started in entry-level roles and have grown into fulfilling, long-term careers spanning 10 plus years.
• A culture of Community and Compassion: We take pride in our strong sense of community, teamwork, and dedication to making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Join us and become part of the team that values professional growth, meaningful work, and a culture of care!

The Role:

Chapel Haven's CareerAbility program is dedicated to providing meaningful employment opportunities for the individuals we serve. We believe employment should align with an individual's ability and interests, enhancing their quality of life while offering competitive wages.

As a Career Development Advisor, you will work closely with our career development team, program managers, and director to guide individuals through career exploration, training, and job placement. The Career Development Advisor provides vocational counseling, recommends appropriate services, and supports individuals in achieving employment that balances financial stability and job satisfaction.

We are seeking a knowledgeable Career Development Advisor with experience in vocational rehabilitation to join our team as we expand to meet growing needs. This role serves individuals in our residential, community, and non-residential programs, including those seeking new career opportunities or transitioning into the workforce.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Intake and Caseload: The Career Development Advisor leads the intake/referral process into CareerAbility and carries a caseload. They work one-on-one with individuals, provide career guidance and advisement, as well as perform observations, assessments, job coaching, and/or support throughout Discovery experiences and employment as needed.
• Disability Knowledge and Counseling: The Career Development Advisor should have considerable understanding of developmental and social disabilities, including counseling approaches and strategies for success, to provide effective career advisement services and consultation to support staff, families, and employers. Experience with parent communication and meditating challenges is highly preferred.
• Facilitation and Instruction: The Career Development Advisor provides individual and group counseling and/or instruction to a caseload, as well as within CareerAbility's workshop catalog. They may also provide workshops to families, employers, and/or within the industry. The Career Development Advisor may also give presentations about CareerAbility services to support Chapel Haven's Admissions department with recruitment (e.g., open houses/information sessions).
• Assessment: The Career Development Advisor utilizes assessment skills to collect and synthesize information about an individual to make decisions. This includes the ability to review records including IEPs, write measurable goals/objectives, perform data collection, interpret medical and psychological data, and review other clinical or educational assessments for career planning. The Career Development Advisor may administer assessments when needed including but not limited to career interest and skill inventories.
• Report Writing and Communication: The Career Development Advisor is required to prepare reports, maintain accurate and thorough documentation, and prepare instructional material. Considerable interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are needed, as well as the ability to lead/present information in key stakeholder meetings, trainings, and workshops.
• Person-Centered Planning: The Career Development Advisor develops and oversees a job seeker's Personal and Career Development Plan. They work with individuals to develop this person-centered plan, considering and evaluating an individual's history, education level, work experience, personality, strengths, and skills to suggest a career path that matches their background, interests, and needs.
• Advocacy: The Career Development Advisor is the individual's career advocate. They determine the need for services and support, such as career exploration (Discovery), career training, internships, and/or job placement. They work with individuals to develop and oversee a career pathway plan that includes services, level of support, measurable goals, and progress data. They provide feedback and resources to help fulfill these plans.
• Team Meetings: The Career Development Advisor attends all and leads most person-centered planning meetings. They participate in team meetings across the agency, and maintain communication with CareerAbility staff, parents, and other Chapel Haven staff and service providers as needed. This position has a high level of involvement leading meetings with families and other key stakeholders regarding their interest in CareerAbility services.
• Record Keeping and Organization: The Career Development Advisor contributes to, maintains, and updates CareerAbility databases. They ensure confidentiality and up-to-date maintenance of all individual reports and records. They prepare proposals and support billing processes as assigned.
• Program Development: The Career Development Advisor assists with creating and contributing to CareerAbility curriculum, scheduling, programs, and training. They support staff and individuals with job placement practices including identifying a match, on-boarding, placement success, and retention strategies. They collaborate on the development and enhancement of CareerAbility, including its programing and services, staff training, and developing work sites for Discovery, career training, or job placement.
• Liaison: The Career Development Advisor acts as liaison with state agencies (such as BRS, DDS, DSS), school districts, and any other external agencies/parties involved with career development for individuals on their caseload. They refer individuals to community resources, as appropriate.
• Supervision: Directly supervises staff (Employment Specialists, Job Coaches, and Career Transition Specialists) supporting employment services including volunteer program, group supported employment, and job coaching.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree preferred in counseling, psychology, social work, special education, communication disorders, vocational rehabilitation, or related areas; experience can substitute for education.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with standardized assessments, vocational/career development or transition services, data collection, and report writing. Prior experience with writing and creating detailed professional reports.
• Minimum of three years' direct experience working with young adults/adults with developmental and social disabilities. Two years of counseling, teaching, or workforce development experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of state funding and services preferred.
• Excellent verbal presentation, written communication, and organizational skills.
• Creativity and passion for the work we do. Commitment to inclusion and disability advocacy.
• Valid CT driver's license: use of personal vehicle and proof of insurance required.

Do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, LGBTQ+, and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at Chapel Haven!

                                Dynamic Diversity – Caring Collaboration – Individual Integrity – Community Connection