Director of Vocational Employment Rehabilitation

CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE DISABLED IN NEW YORK

Director of Vocational Employment Rehabilitation

Salary: $80,000

Job Description

The Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) is the leading organization serving and representing people with disabilities in New York City. CIDNY's mission is the removal of barriers to the full integration of people with disabilities. CIDNY helps people with disabilities gain the skills and services they need to live independently in the community. CIDNY advocates for fair and effective policies that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Position Summary: CIDNY seeks a highly effective Director of Employment Services to assist in managing programs and service delivery to consumers with disabilities served by CIDNY. The Director of Employment Services must have at least five years of supervisory experience and a proven record of developing, implementing, and designing innovative vocational and employment services for people with disabilities. The Director of Employment Services is a management team member and will report to the Senior Director of Consumer Programs. The Director of Employment Services will be responsible for coordinating the essential business activities of the vocational and employment activities for consumers served by CIDNY. The ideal candidate will be someone who can passionately support our mission of advancing the lives of people with disabilities and understands that employment plays a significant role in a person's life. The Director of Employment Services is responsible for the following: 

Responsibilities:

• Establish a successful vocational and employment department for CIDNY.

• Develop, design, and implement vocational and employment services for consumers served by CIDNY.

• Provide employment services that serve the needs of people with disabilities that require competitive, supported, or customized employment.

• Partner with the Director of Consumer Programs to define and advance the organization's annual and quarterly priorities with respect to employment services for people with disabilities.

• Knowledge of the legislation affecting the employment needs of people with disabilities.

• Establish a working and effective relationships with the state vocational rehabilitation system (ACCES-VR and the New York State Commission for the Blind) for all five boroughs that CIDNY serves.

• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations that serve the employment needs of people with disabilities.

• Work with CIDNY’s higher education partners (City University of New York; CUNY) to ensure that there is a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary institutions for people with disabilities.

• Develop a system to track employment rates for people with disabilities living in New York City.

• Coordinate organizational procedures for optimized efficiency and productivity for this newly formed department.

• Hire and supervise staff for this newly formed department.

• Support the staff performance evaluation process and make sure the process clearly assesses performance relative to organization-wide key performance indicators and program goals.

• Supervise the work activities of CIDNY’s Youth Transition Specialist to improve the service delivery of transition services for youth with disabilities.

• Partner with senior leadership to build a formidable team culture and a safe, supported, and nurturing environment that fosters team productivity and excellence.

• Meet weekly with the Director for Consumer Programs for supervision.

• Meet monthly with all Program Directors for an exchange of ideas.

• Participate in all staff meetings.

• Submit monthly reports to supervisor and funding source.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Director for Consumer Programs, and Manager of Development and Fund Raising to identify foundation funding opportunities and the preparation of grant proposals to fund this newly formed department.

• Participate in the identification of government contract opportunities and the preparation of responses for these grant applications.

• Work with the Executive Director, Director of Consumer Programs, and Contract Manager to ensure grant and contract compliance and timely reporting of project activities and outcomes.

• Prepare accurate reports on a timely basis.

• Use CIDNY’s database (Cilsfirst) to document all departmental goals and objectives.

• Assist in the implementation of CIDNY’s strategic plan.

• Participate in leadership team meetings, planning, projects, and agency policy development.

• Complete other assigned tasks requested by the Executive Director of CIDNY and the Director of Consumer Programs.

Qualifications Required Knowledge and Skills:

Must possess a fierce dedication to the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. Must have excellent communication skills as there is frequent communication between state and local government officials, legislatures, advocacy groups, the community, and other organizations committed to full Civil Rights, Integration, and Individual Rights of individuals with disabilities. Superb writing skills are necessary for this reason as well. Great public speaking skills are critical. Must be organized and good at multitasking. A good understanding of policy-making procedures and can read and understand government writings. American Sign Language or Spanish a strong plus, but not required. Computer literacy is necessary for the office functions of this position. Some travel may be needed, and CIDNY pays all expenses. Cell phone and text pager knowledge are required.

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree required in rehabilitation counseling, disability studies, employment services, business, Human Services, public policy, or related field.  

• Five + years of experience in a management role and requires strong knowledge of employment services for people with disabilities.

• Experience with the principles regarding competitive, supported, and customized employment for people with disabilities.

• Certification or credentialing in employment services, such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), is a plus.

• Ability to establish partnerships and networks with employment programs focused on serving people with disabilities.

• Experience with providing direct program supervision is required. 

• Demonstrated experience organizing and directing a departmental team.

• Strong project reporting skills and proven success with interdepartmental communications.

• Experience with budget management and analysis and a business mind that consistently prioritizes the organization and protects its resources.

• Previous experience collaborating with mission-driven non-profits and mission-driven for-profits.

The ideal candidate has the following:

• Exceptional poise, confidence, and diplomacy when interacting with key stakeholders.

• Ability to build strong relationships and work with people at all levels within and outside the organization.

• Knowledge and proven ability to assist people with disabilities with employment matters.

• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a challenging environment while meeting deadlines and goals.

• Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills as well as diligence.

• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, eager to take initiative, and an adaptive learner.

• Planning and project management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Must be highly attentive to detail, organized, and highly initiative-taking, with the ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently and independently.

• Demonstrated ability to complete activities/projects in a timely manner, on or before scheduled deadlines, with minimal errors.

• Strong people skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other standard business technology.

• The position requires a strong commitment to CIDNY's mission.

Position Specifics:

• Location: CIDNY’s Manhattan Office 1010 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 301, NY, NY 10018, on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 38th Street.

• Salary: $80,000 annually.

• Shift: (must be flexible) 9:30 am till 5:30 pm.

• Hybrid Schedule (Two days per week must be client-facing).

• Monday – Friday.

• Benefits available: Medical, paid time off, Sick pay, Paid holidays, Dental, Life insurance, Vision, and 403B plan.

We conform to all laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION AND BOOSTER.

How to Apply:

Please send a thoughtful cover letter, a writing sample, and your resume to Sharon McLennon-Wier, Executive Director, at smclennonwier@cidny.org.  Do not send by fax. Please use the job title as the email header. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.