Partnering with your business

Employment Specialist

👥 What Is an Employment Specialist?

An Employment Specialist is also known by other titles such as Job Coach, Job Trainer, Job Consultant, Vocational Counselor, or Staffing Specialist. At RISE Services, our Employment Specialists play a key role in helping individuals with disabilities find, secure, and succeed in meaningful employment.

Their main responsibility is to create a positive job match — ensuring that the individual’s skills, goals, and interests align with an employer’s needs. Employment Specialists are a support system for both the employee and the employer, helping ensure long-term job satisfaction and success.

💼 How Services Are Funded

Funding for Employment Specialist services can come from a variety of sources, including:

  • Schools or transition programs

  • State vocational rehabilitation agencies 

  • Medicaid waiver programs

  • Employers

  • Private pay options

We encourage individuals and families to speak with their school, case manager, or counselor to explore which funding options may be available to them.

Employment Support Services

🧑‍💼 What a RISE Services Employment Specialist Does

Our Employment Specialists are here to help you find the right job and succeed at work. They work closely with you and your employer to ensure a strong match, a smooth start, and long-term success.

Here are the key responsibilities of a RISE Services Employment Specialist:

  • 🔍 Help You Explore Interests & Skills
    Assist you in identifying your job interests, strengths, and goals.

  • 🤝 Match You with the Right Job
    Find a job that fits you — your skills, preferences, and support needs.

  • 🧑‍🏫 Provide One-on-One Training
    Offer hands-on support at the job site to help you learn tasks and feel confident.

  • 🧩 Support Onsite Integration
    Help you adjust to the work environment and educate coworkers or supervisors as needed.

  • 💬 Job Retention Support
    Provide counseling and planning to help you and your employer solve problems and keep the job working well for everyone.

  • 📊 Track Progress
    Collect and report important performance data to support your success and funding requirements.

With RISE Services, you’ll receive ongoing job search support, placement assistance, and follow-up services to help you not only get hired—but stay hired.

Benefits to Hiring Individuals with Disabilities

Reduced Recruiting

Employment Specialists help businesses identify applicants through a pool of pre-screened candidates

Accommodation Assistance

Employment Specialists can help with active accommodation needs and integration

Training & Integration

Always onsite with employee & employer to ensure performance integration & retention success

Tax Credit Identification

Employment Specialists can help employers find possible tax credits such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST SERVICE FLYER

FAQs

At RISE Services, our Employment Specialists provide support to both the individual with a disability and the employer to ensure a strong and successful job match.

In addition to direct job coaching and on-the-job training, our specialists also offer consultation and communicationwith key people involved in the individual’s success, including:

  • Parents and family members

  • Community funding agencies (e.g., DARS, schools, waiver programs)

  • Case managers and support coordinators

  • Other community-based programs and providers

By working closely with everyone involved, our Employment Specialists help build a support network that promotes independence, success, and job satisfaction for the individuals we serve.

Employment Specialist services are funded through a variety of sources, depending on the individual’s situation and support system. Many of the programs that employ job coaches and supported employment services are approved vendors for:

  • State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs 

  • Medicaid Waiver Programs

  • Public School Systems (for transition-age students)

  • Community Services Boards (CSBs)

  • Private Pay

  • Employers who may contract us to support their new hires

We encourage individuals and families to talk with their case manager, school counselor, or support coordinator to determine the best funding option for their needs.

💼 Tax Incentives for Employers Hiring Individuals with Disabilities

As an agency or business, hiring individuals with disabilities is not only a meaningful step toward building a more inclusive workforce — it can also provide valuable financial incentives.

Here are key federal tax credits and incentives available to employers:

🏷️ Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Employers may receive a federal tax credit of up to $2,400–$9,600 per qualified hire, depending on the individual’s eligibility and hours worked. This credit applies to individuals who are referred through vocational rehabilitation agencies, including those with disabilities.

🧾 Disabled Access Credit

For small businesses (gross receipts under $1 million or fewer than 30 employees), this credit covers 50% of the cost (up to $10,250) of providing accessible accommodations, such as:

  • Sign language interpreters

  • Accessible equipment or software

  • Materials in alternative formats

🛠️ Barrier Removal Deduction

Businesses may deduct up to $15,000 per year for expenses related to removing architectural or transportation barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities.

🤝 Partner With Us

If you’re interested in hiring an individual with a disability, RISE Services can support you every step of the way — from candidate matching to on-the-job coaching and long-term retention.

📩 Contact us today at: info@ccsandrises.org

Let’s build a workplace that works for everyone — and save you money while doing it.

Benefits for Businesses who Utilize Employment Specialists

  1. 💼 Benefits for Businesses Using Employment Specialists

    Partnering with Employment Specialists from RISE Services offers valuable advantages to businesses looking to build an inclusive, productive workforce — while saving time and resources.

    Here’s how Employment Specialists support employers:

    • Faster Hiring with Pre-Screened Candidates
      Employment Specialists reduce the time it takes to find qualified workers by connecting businesses with pre-screened candidates who are ready and eager to work.

    • Seamless Hiring Support
      We handle the upfront legwork — including candidate matching, skill assessments, and onboarding support — to complement your existing hiring process.

    • Tailored On-the-Job Training
      Employment Specialists provide hands-on training and coaching that matches your company’s work style and culture. They stay involved until the new employee is confident and successful.

    • Help with Workplace Accommodations
      Our specialists can identify and implement reasonable accommodations, ensuring a smooth and accessible work environment for all team members.

    • Access to Tax Credits
      We can assist you in applying for tax incentives, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which provides financial benefits for hiring individuals with disabilities.

    • Ongoing Support & Retention
      Even after the hire, Employment Specialists continue to check in, provide job coaching, and offer ongoing support to both the employee and employer — helping ensure long-term success and job satisfaction.