Manager, Job Development
Best Buddies International

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Manager, Job Development
Department: State Operations and Programs
Reports to: Program Supervisor, Jobs
# of direct reports: N/A

Position Overview: The Job Development Manager's primary responsibility is to develop competitive, inclusive jobs for individuals with IDD. This includes developing relationships with adults with IDD to discover job opportunities that are a good fit for their skill set, past experience, and location preferences. The Job Development Manager also works closely with businesses to identify employment opportunities, train staff on diversity and inclusion, and generate awareness of Best Buddies' mission. After identifying a potential match, the Job Development Manager focuses on pairing job seekers with compatible employers and supports with the application process, interviewing, and onboarding.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or 4 years ' experience or employment in job coaching, counseling; or other related experience working with persons with disabilities
• 1 year of experience in job coaching, counseling; or other related experience working with persons with disabilities
• Preferably 1 year experience as an Employment Consultant and a proven strong record of job placement, retention, employer communications and relationships
• Must be adaptable and able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships and get results from a variety of people
• Basic presentation, facilitation, project and time management skills
• Strong written communicator who pays close attention to detail; demonstrates a strong initiative, drive for results and self-assessment skills as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Must be comfortable engaging with people with IDD, meeting new people and addressing sensitive issues
• Must be comfortable with frequent local travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
• Access to an automobile with applicable insurance
• Employment is contingent upon accreditation by governing state agency

Job Duties include - but are not limited to:

Programs

• Responsible for leading job development efforts for a caseload of unemployed participants including resume development, interview preparation, job application support, and skills assessments
• Oversee intake process for new participants including screening referrals, conducting vocational assessments, and calling professional references
• Meet quota for number and retention of job placements
• Make tenacious outreach to employers in the community through a variety of methods including: cold calling, arranging meetings, attending networking events, making presentations to pitch/sell the Best Buddies jobs program
• Manage existing employer relationships and follow through on established leads
• Assess employer's needs through Job Analysis to identify positions that are valuable to their enterprise and in alignment with participant's skills, goals, and support needs; this could include creating a job description and finalizing with employer
• Present diversity and inclusion training to large audiences
• Provide participants with initial travel training and/or assistance with public transportation
• Provide participants and their families' assistance in dealing with social security issues, including explanation of work incentives
• Collaborate with Employment Consultant to initiate transfer of responsibilities after participant is hired
• Increase mission awareness through identifying public speaking opportunities, lunch and learns, and tabling events
• Work with supervisor to increase participation in local fundraising events
• Support school-based staff with job readiness and self-advocacy training, when applicable

Marketing

• Contributes content and images for updates to social media platforms

Operations

• Document all services and communications in SET-Works database
• Complete required paperwork in a timely and organized manner, including but not limited to Individual Written Program Plan (IWPP), intake/annual paperwork; safety exercises, incident and grievance reports and reports required by local funding agencies
• Collaborates with supervisor to ensure that all required billing is completed accurately and in a timely manner
• Collaborates with supervisor to prepare for any audits or accreditations

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International's core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.

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