Director of Competitive Employment - Illinois

Boone Center•Metro-East, IL

46d•$60,000 - $65,000•Remote

About The Position

At Boone Center, Inc. (BCI), we are dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) find fulfilling employment opportunities that align with their skills and interests. For more than 65 years, we have been a trusted partner for individuals, families, and businesses seeking inclusive workforce solutions. We offer real opportunities for meaningful work. Our continuum of programs and services reflects our knowledge that every person has his or her own unique abilities—and every person can contribute. Our organizational , competitive and vocational training programs are designed to serve individual goals. We focus on full employment, providing support so people can access the work of their choice and ability. We focus on full employment by providing ongoing support, career development, and transition services to help individuals grow and advance in their careers. BCI Packaging is the home of our organizational employment program and offers world-class contract packaging and light manufacturing to companies around the world. Job Summary: The Director, Competitive Employment – Illinois is responsible for leading the successful start-up and continuous growth of BCI’s competitive employment services in Metro East, Illinois. The Director will lead efforts to generate referrals through Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) by developing strong relationships with area agencies and the general public to market vocational training and competitive employment services. The Director will also be responsible for developing employment partners throughout Metro East, Illinois and assisting clients with competitive employment services. Lastly, the Director will provide direct support services with clients via job discovery and exploration, placement, coaching and structured training programming.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent presentation skills.
Excellent planning and organizational skills.
Excellent ability to meet deadlines.
Three or more years of related work experience in a leadership role.
Prior experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills.
Ability to frequently sit; stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel.
Ability to occasionally use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
Ability to reach, turn, and twist above and below the waist.
Ability to occasionally push or pull up to 70 pounds.
Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Develop relationships with Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) district offices, Workforce Development Boards, school districts, and agencies to support the mission of BCI.
Develop new competitive employment partners throughout Metro East Illinois.
Maintain relationships with industry partners.
Recruit and identify individuals who would be a fit for competitive employment services.
Participate in intake meetings with competitive employment clients along with family members, guardians, case managers, counselors, and support staff.
Effectively communicate with clients, as well as families, guardians, service providers, funders, and BCI staff.
Develop and teach job readiness and soft skills courses that will prepare clients for success in the workforce.
Train, coach, encourage, and motivate clients of diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
Determine hiring requirements of each employment partner, communicate requirements with prospective clients, and support clients with meeting these requirements along with securing funding for training or competitive employment services.
Support competitive employment clients with job retention services.
Ensure accurate and timely records, plans, and billing reports for clients are maintained.
Lead work in a flexible, hybrid/remote environment.
Perform other related duties as directed.