Lead Employment Specialist / Job Coach – Rhode Island | Growth Opportunity

Pay: $22.00–$24.00 per hour, based on experience
Employment Type: Part-Time with opportunity for increased hours and future leadership
Service Area: East Providence to Newport, Rhode Island
Schedule: Primarily weekday hours based on participant and program needs
Work Setting: Community-based with local travel
Mileage: Reimbursement for approved work-related travel

Help Build Something New in Rhode Island

RISE Services is expanding into Rhode Island, and we are looking for an experienced Employment Specialist / Job Coach to become one of our first local team members.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to continue doing meaningful, hands-on employment services while also having the opportunity to help build and grow a new program from the ground up.

RISE Services has been approved to provide employment services in Rhode Island, and we are actively preparing to serve participants in the East Providence-to-Newport corridor and surrounding communities.

We are starting with a small caseload, so this position will initially be part-time. As referrals increase, there may be opportunities for additional hours, increased responsibility, and advancement into a formal program leadership role.

If you are an experienced Job Coach, Employment Specialist, Vocational Specialist, or disability-services professional who has thought, “I’m ready for the next step,” we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do Initially

Your first priority will be providing high-quality employment services directly to individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities may include:

• Career exploration and employment planning

• Job searching and completing applications

• Resume and interview preparation

• Job development and employer outreach

• Identifying employment opportunities that match participant interests, strengths, and abilities

• Coordinating interviews and hiring activities

• Providing on-site job coaching and workplace support

• Teaching workplace communication, routines, and professional skills

• Developing natural workplace supports

• Helping participants identify and overcome barriers to employment

• Supporting successful employment retention

• Communicating with participants, families, employers, and referral partners

• Completing accurate and timely service documentation

• Participating in service-planning, transition, and community meetings

Services are primarily provided in community settings, including employer worksites, participant meeting locations, and other locations throughout the service area.

More Than a Traditional Job Coach Position

We are looking for someone who can provide excellent direct services today and potentially take on greater responsibility as our Rhode Island program grows.

You will have the opportunity to become an important part of the foundation of our Rhode Island operations.

As referrals, staffing, and services expand, responsibilities may grow to include:

• Helping coordinate participant services and staff coverage

• Supporting the onboarding and mentoring of newly hired Employment Specialists

• Developing relationships with Rhode Island referral partners

• Building and maintaining relationships with local employers

• Representing RISE Services at community and transition meetings

• Supporting outreach and referral development

• Helping monitor documentation and service quality

• Assisting with staff training and service implementation

• Helping identify operational needs as the Rhode Island program grows

• Contributing to the continued development of RISE Services' Rhode Island employment program

There are currently no employees reporting to this position.

Supervisory or formal leadership responsibilities would be added only as the Rhode Island program grows and additional employees are hired.

Who We're Looking For

This position may be an excellent next step for an experienced:

Job Coach • Employment Specialist • Supported Employment Specialist • Vocational Specialist • Career Specialist • Transition Specialist • Vocational Rehabilitation Professional • Disability Services Professional

We are especially interested in someone who:

• Works independently and follows through on responsibilities.

• Is dependable, responsive, and highly organized.

• Enjoys helping individuals with disabilities achieve employment goals.

• Is comfortable providing services throughout the community.

• Can build professional relationships with employers and referral partners.

• Can solve routine problems independently and knows when to involve leadership.

• Communicates professionally with participants, families, employers, and community partners.

• Understands the importance of accurate and timely documentation.

• Is comfortable joining a growing program where processes and caseloads will continue to develop.

• Is interested in professional growth and future leadership opportunities.

Experience with Rhode Island vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, transition services, disability services, or local referral systems is especially valuable.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following qualification pathways:

Option 1:
Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, counseling, rehabilitation, psychology, education, or a related field plus at least three years of relevant experience

OR

Option 2:
High school diploma or equivalent plus at least five years of relevant experience

Relevant experience may include:

• Supported employment

• Job coaching

• Job development

• Vocational rehabilitation

• Disability services

• Employment services

• Transition services

• Workforce development

• Community-based human services

• Other closely related experience

Additional Requirements

Candidates must have:

• Valid driver's license

• Reliable personal transportation

• Required automobile insurance

• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the service area

• Ability to transport participants when required

• Acceptable driving record

• Ability to work independently in community settings

• Ability to complete required background checks, screenings, and training

• Basic computer skills and ability to use web-based documentation systems

• Ability to complete documentation accurately and within required deadlines

Mileage reimbursement is provided for approved work-related travel according to company policy.

Why Join RISE Services?

This is an opportunity to join RISE Services at an important stage of our expansion into Rhode Island.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Become one of our first Rhode Island team members

• Help establish and grow a new employment-services program

• Work directly with individuals with disabilities and see the impact of your work

• Build relationships with employers and community partners throughout Rhode Island

• Receive mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel

• Participate in paid training and professional development

• Potentially increase your hours as referrals grow

• Gain additional responsibility as the Rhode Island team expands

• Position yourself for potential future program leadership opportunities

We are looking for someone who wants to grow with the program, not simply fill a shift.

Important Information About Hours

This position is beginning part-time because RISE Services is newly expanding services in Rhode Island.

Initial hours will depend on participant referrals and authorized services and may vary as the program develops.

We want applicants to understand this clearly before accepting the position.

At the same time, our goal is to grow our Rhode Island services. As referrals and caseloads increase, the selected employee may have opportunities for:

• Additional direct-service hours

• Increased program responsibilities

• Participation in staff onboarding and mentoring

• Leadership responsibilities

• Potential advancement as the Rhode Island operation expands

Additional hours, full-time employment, supervisory responsibilities, and promotion are not guaranteed and will depend on program growth, referrals, organizational needs, and individual performance.

About RISE Services

RISE Services provides individualized employment services designed to help people with disabilities obtain and maintain competitive, integrated employment.

Our Employment Specialists work directly in the community, partnering with participants, employers, families, referral sources, and other professionals to help people identify meaningful employment goals and achieve greater independence.

As we expand into Rhode Island, we are looking for a local professional who shares that mission and wants the opportunity to help establish a strong program in the state.

Equal Employment Opportunity

RISE Services provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, country of ancestral origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, Rhode Island, or local law.

Apply Today

If you have experience in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, transition services, disability services, or a related field—and you are interested in helping build a new program while positioning yourself for future growth—we encourage you to apply.

$22.00–$24.00 per hour | Part-Time | Primarily Weekday Hours | Mileage Reimbursement | Future Growth Opportunity

Join RISE Services as we build our Rhode Island team.