Bridges is recognized by leaders in government, business, and education as a vital resource for helping high school students with disabilities transition from school to the work place. The Foundation operates the “Bridges….from school to work” and “Bridges Plus” programs in six major metropolitan areas and serves young people who often have multiple barriers to employment. Over the years the Foundation has demonstrated outstanding results and has built a reputation for excellence.

The Employer Representative (E.R.) position operates in the context of local implementation of the MFPD’s Bridges programs, framed by the state of the local labor market and socio-economic factors in the community. Key issues include: varying economic conditions and employer needs; employer’s perceptions regarding youth with disabilities in the work force; receptivity and effectiveness of school systems and other sources of youth clients; job readiness and on-the-job performance of youth clients; and the effectiveness and reputations of other local service providers.

a) job summary

The E.R. has primary responsibility for local implementation of the service delivery components of the MFPD’s Bridges programs. Successful fulfillment of this responsibility will require that they:



· Develop and sustain a commitment to employment and vocational growth for youth with disabilities among a range of constituents including the youth, their families and teachers, local employers and a network of other local resources;

· Provide direct support and direction to each of these constituents to achieve program specific goals; and

· Record and effectively maintain data and records to document program activity and impact.

b) duties, responsibilities, expected contributions



Business/Functional Results:


The E.R.’s primary responsibility is to meet their assigned Bridges outcome goals and accurately maintain assigned records to document program activities and results. Goals may be modified on an individual basis due to extenuating circumstances, however annual program outcome standards, per service delivery staff, are: “Bridges…from school to work”---32 Enrollments, 24 Placements, 20 Completions; “Bridges Plus”---20 Enrollments, 16 Placements, 12 Completions, 9 Advancements.



In order to consistently achieve these results, using the tools and processes provided in the Bridges models, E.R.s must effectively:

· Recruit and enroll an appropriate caseload of program participants. Effective recruitment will typically require strong relationships with staff and administration of assigned high schools or other referral sources and interface with prospective program applicants before commencement of the referral process, to assure their understanding of and enthusiasm for Bridges. Such relationships and interface are often best achieved through regular participation in the classroom by the E.R.

· Assess skills, interests and experience of each individual on their caseload in a range of interventions with each young adult that may include one-on-one meetings/interviews, visits with the young person and their families in the home, group activities such as job clubs, training sessions, and Youth Parent Orientation..

· Identify challenges relative to employment objectives and create specific, practical strategies to address them.

· Continually develop active pool of employers that can offer jobs consistent with employment objectives of case load. Effective employer development will require a wide range of coordinated efforts that may include cold calling, active participation in business and trade organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, cultivation of relationships that grow from local outreach activities (Business Advisory Council meetings, employer receptions, job fairs, etc.) and an awareness of the dynamics and priorities of the local labor market.

· Assess critical success factors for specific jobs, and develop job matches that benefit both the young person and the employer. In order to consistently accomplish effective matches, the E.R. must maintain a strong familiarity with the dynamics of individual jobs and workplaces on the employer side and the strengths, interests and challenges of each young person.

· Provide appropriate support to all involved (youth and employers) to assure employment success and vocational growth. Support may include (but is not limited to): assistance with initial training and orientation to the workplace including some ‘job coaching,’ guidance regarding modification of training materials and approaches to fit the individual’s learning style, assistance with public transportation or other peripheral issues that may impact employment success, appraisal and assistance with employer job accommodations, facilitation of regular formal appraisals of on-the-job performance, and assistance in identifying and accessing necessary off-the-job supports or development opportunities (training, assistive equipment, etc) to help ensure vocational growth and success.

· Maintain participant files and MFPD data base as required in a timely, complete and accurate manner.





Managing Execution


The E.R. will identify what resources, present in the community but external to the program, are needed for participant success, and coordinate the application of those resources to the individual situation. Such resources may cover a wide range of needs from additional vocational skills training to funding and technical support for assistive equipment, to assistance with transportation, clothing, life skills, or personal challenges. The local staff of E.R.s should, collectively, maintain knowledge of resources available in all of these areas and relationships with the individuals and organizations that offer these resources so that they are readily available as required.



Building Relationships:


Effective relationships are critical to program success. Specifically, the E.R. is responsible for cultivating and nurturing positive, mutually beneficial relationships with a wide range of employers, key staff within the public schools (or other referral organizations), the youth (and their families) with whom they work, other organizations within the community that offer resources that might be supportive of Bridges efforts. This will require that the E.R. reach out to each of the entities named, meet with them to develop an understanding and appreciation of their needs and requirements; effectively communicate to them the mission, activities and needs of the Bridges program; and identify the shared objectives towards which each party can contribute.



Additionally, each member of the local Bridges team is responsible to conduct themselves in a manner that fosters and maintains relationships within the entire team that are mutually supportive.



Learning & Applying Personal Expertise
The E.R. will maintain an ongoing commitment to developing his/her skills and abilities, guided by a formal development plan, in areas that will enhance operational success



A) experience



· A four year college degree or equivalent qualifying work experience .

· Formal training and/or significant experience in at least two of the following areas:

· School to work transition (work with students with disabilities desirable);

· Job development, employment support, or case management (work with students with disabilities desirable);

· Sales and marketing; and

· Management or supervisory role in the private sector.





B) skills



· Strong organizational skills with consistent attention to detail.

· Effective oral and written communication skills are a must; communication skills in more than one language a plus.

· Strong interpersonal skills to include:

· Ability to relate effectively with a wide range of people;

· Ability to build, facilitate and participate in collaboration between diverse groups;

· Ability to effectively interpret and address needs of diverse constituents; and

· Proactive and creative problem solving skills.

· Basic computer skills including familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.



Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.

Apply to Job# 120017F0