Career & Business Relations Specialist - Plymouth/Cape & Islands
Job Description
MassAbility is actively recruiting for a Career & Business Relations Specialist. The Business Relations Services team and the Career Services Division focus on increasing competitive integrated employment opportunities, job placements, and successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The role of a Career & Business Relations Specialist is to focus on building and maintaining relationships with employers through various strategies. These include identifying job openings that suit both employers and job seekers, educating businesses about hiring individuals with disabilities, organizing hiring events and employer recruitment sessions, and updating a database of local and regional employer markets. Additionally, the Career & Business Relations Specialist supports agency staff by collecting and sharing labor market data, providing technical assistance to recruiting agency job seekers, and seeking employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Moreover, they develop employment options that align with the Area Office(s)' Employment Plans and the agency's statewide Employment Plan. In some cases, they work directly with Job Placement Specialists and job seekers to help them find and retain employment with employers.
At MassAbility, we are driven by a fundamental belief that we are all different but connected - individuals who share a common purpose and who bring our own talents, ingenuity, and perspective to achieve our vision. That belief puts diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of everything we do. We are keenly aware of the barriers that many of us face as we strive to live life on our own terms. That's why, as a community, we are committed to always being part of the solution. This work is essential to who we are as an organization. Together, we are making a better state possible for everyone. As a team member, you'll join an agency that values a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high-performance teams, individual contribution/impact, and engagement in activities to promote and support programs, divisions, and the overall agency vision and mission.
This positon covers Plymuth and the Cape and the Islands area
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):
• Develop employment opportunities (that meet jobseeker employment needs) as identified in Area Office(s) Employment Plans and agency statewide Employment Plan.
• Educate and partner with Area Office(s) staff on labor market trends, employer needs, and opportunities.
• Partner with Career & Business Relations staff to ensure alignment and outcome accountability with Area Office(s) needs as aligned to Area Office Employment Plans and agency statewide Employment Plan.
• Collaborate with the financial wellness director as needed to educate and market available incentives to employers (e.g., employer tax credits) and the value of hiring skilled individuals with disabilities.
• Engage with local, regional, and statewide employer boards, on-the-job training, job-driven training, internship initiatives, hiring events, employer training conferences, and other business relations initiatives.
• Participate in the design of and recruitment for local and state-wide employer-focused events, in collaboration with the JPS team.
• Assist with the design and rollout of training (both regional and statewide) to meet the hiring needs of employers (to support skilling up potential job seekers).
• Educate business partners, community-based organizations, community leaders, job seekers, and others to clearly understand the MassAbility mission and services and the role of Business Relations.
• Document activities and production in relevant systems, including case management systems and the Employer Account Management System.
• Conduct presentations to explain programs and services to employers, training vendors, community organizations, job seekers, MassAbility staff, and the public to assist them in understanding and using such programs and services.
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• Participate in statewide initiatives, workgroups, team meetings, and trainings to enhance functional skills and promote professional growth.
• Provide timely follow-up support services to employers, MassAbility staff, community organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful employment outcomes and employer satisfaction.
• Ensure Business Relations, division, and agency-level policies and procedures are adhered to and consistent with best practices.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Understanding of a wide variety of occupations common to the local area labor market.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, & techniques of marketing & sales knowledge of interviewing techniques,
• Capacity to market and promote agency services and job seekers.
• Adept at communicating effectively both orally and in writing to document case activities properly, represent the agency professionally, conduct presentations, and give instructions clearly and precisely.
• Aptitude to interact effectively and establish rapport with diverse teams and groups of people
• Capacity to understand, explain, and implement policies and procedures, standards, guidelines, laws, and regulations that govern agency activities
• Proficient in working collaboratively within a team and building and sustaining positive working relationships with peers, supervisors, other agency representatives, employers, and customers.
• Proficiency in utilizing information technology resources to accurately and concisely record information and maintain the integrity of the computerized database
• Experienced in gathering information in conjunction with QVRCs through questioning and observing individuals and by examining records and documents to assess client needs
• Aptitude to appropriately interact with others and maintain a calm manner in emotionally charged or stressful situations
• Experienced in analyzing labor market data and determining the applicability of data, drawing conclusions, and making appropriate recommendations
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential disability information
• Knowledge of the characteristics and trends of the local, regional/district, and statewide labor market
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of sales and marketing
• Experience with agency rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing assigned responsibilities
• Capacity to act as a mentor and provide guidance and training to others.
Required Qualifications:
• Knowledge of labor market tools and applications.
• Knowledge of the organization, goals, objectives, and programs of the agency.
• Improve ability in public speaking.
• Knowledge of the types and availability of public and private organizations providing employment opportunities.
• Knowledge of the factors, trends, problems, and characteristics of the area labor market
• Knowledge of the types and uses of reference sources for occupational interest.
• Ability to learn and utilize current technology platforms relevant to a modern workplace, including, but not limited to, Zoom, Teams, MS Office Suite, OneDrive, and case management software.
• General knowledge of the ADA.
About MassAbility
MassAbility provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. Our programs focus on vocational rehabilitation, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. And we put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. We envision a Commonwealth that is open to all, where everyone can seize their true potential and contribute fully to our communities and the world. Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, MassAbility collaborates, problem-solves, and innovates to bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone-one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive.
For more information about our agency and programs, visit: MassAbility | Mass.gov
Pre-Offer Process:
A criminal background check (CORI) will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1 (800) 510-4122, Ext. #4.
Please upload both a Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying for the Career & Business Relations Specialist.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Applicants must have (A) a Bachelor's degree in marketing, business management, business administration, public relations, vocational rehabilitation, counseling, psychology, public administration, human resources or related field and (B) at least two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in: business management, business administration, public relations, marketing, personnel interviewing, recruitment or job placement; employment, vocational counseling, psychology, sociology, education or rehabilitation counseling or guidance; job analysis or position classification work, of which (C) at least one (1) year must have been working with individuals with disabilities, or (D)any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Extensive travel is required; incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
Substitutions:
I. A Master's degree or higher in marketing, business management, business administration, vocational rehabilitation, public relations or public administration, counseling, psychology, human resources or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (B) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- HSA
- Mental Health Benefits
Parental Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Commuter Benefits Program
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- Pension
- Financial Counseling
Professional Development
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program