The Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) which is under the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) at the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is seeking a motivated and skilled individual to fill the Employment Specialist position. In this position you will assess and evaluate eligible clients' needs for employment by; providing job preparation guidance, job development, job placement activities, and assisting with outreach, engagement, and education of businesses to support the employment of individuals with hearing loss.                                                  Principle Duties The Employment Specialist will perform the following tasks:  

• [Accepts referrals from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), DWS and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities.]{#isPasted}
• Manages, coordinates and performs job development and job placement services.
• Develops individualized plans for obtaining employment.
• Assists with job readiness skills i.e. resume writing, master application, interview skills and job search techniques.
• Identifies employment opportunities and business contacts.
• Assists with securing interviews for clients based on the client's goal.
• Assists in follow up to employers.
• Collects and enters data into the case management system; including client progress notes and employer contacts.
• Will keep Vocational Rehabilitation informed on their clients progress and status. 
• Coordinates and collaborates with other state agencies, community partners and business partners.
• Assists in conducting job fairs, employer workshops and other events related to employment services; these activities may include business tours, mentoring events and coordination activities and events with business partners.

Minimum Qualification Preference points may be given for:

• [Fluent skills in American Sign Language (ASL).]{#isPasted}
• Willingness to travel outside of the office.
• An Associate s degree or higher in Social Work or a related field.
• Experience assisting people who are deaf to achieve their employment goals.
• Knowledge regarding deaf culture and the deaf community.
• Knowledge regarding accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing that will reduce communication barriers.

Why You Should Join Our Team This is an opportunity to make a difference. Along with the satisfaction of helping individuals with disabilities you will receive great health and retirement benefits.  Click here to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work life balance. The Agency - DSDHH  The division was created under the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation in 1988 and provides services for people with hearing loss (Deaf, Hard of Hearing & DeafBlind); We provide services out of two locations:

• Taylorsville, Utah Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 
• St. George, Utah   South Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

The Utah State Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is housed in a 32,000 sq. ft. facility named the Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Built in 1992, and expanded in 2001, it remains one of the largest state-funded facilities in the nation. Named in 2003 after a locally and nationally known leader of the Deaf community, Robert G. Sandie Sanderson, Ph.D., the facility attracts attention and visitors from across the nation. The facility boasts a full-size gymnasium, kitchen fit for cooking classes, lecture hall, meeting rooms, office space, as well as interpreter certification and assistive technology demonstration labs. The Agency - DWS The mission of Workf rce Services is to strengthen Utah s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.