Employment Specialist Jobs
Employment Specialist jobs are open across workforce development, human services, healthcare, and corporate HR, at every level from entry-level to senior and program management, with specializations in vocational rehabilitation, job placement, and career counseling. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 341+ Employment Specialist jobs
**$500 sign on bonus ($250 at the completion of first week of training and $250 after successfully completion of first 90 days)**
Position: Employment & Training Specialist 3 – Full Time
Location: Ledyard, CT
Rate of Pay: $25.80 per hour
Hours: 37.5 Hours per Week
Schedule: Monday – Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
Summary:
- Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? Viability is seeking an Employment Specialist to join our team supporting individuals who use DMHAS services and are living with mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. In this role, you will promote, develop, and expand employment opportunities—helping participants achieve their career goals and thrive in the community.
Key Responsibilities:
Support individuals in identifying, securing, and maintaining competitive employment.
Partner with employers to develop and expand job opportunities for program participants.
Provide individualized vocational counseling and job readiness training.
Collaborate with treatment teams, community partners, and families to ensure coordinated support.
Maintain accurate documentation and progress notes in compliance with program and agency standards.
Travel regularly throughout Eastern Connecticut to meet with participants and employers.
Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED/HiSET and 3 years of related experience; or
Associates degree with 2–3 years of experience; or
Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of experience.
Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders preferred.
Experience providing employment or vocational support services strongly preferred.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required (travel within the region).
“Viability values our employees and the talents that they bring with them every day. Last year 30 staff members were promoted within the agency to roles that supported their professional growth.”
Full-time Viability staff members are eligible for the following:
- Health, Dental & Vision insurance plans.
- Dependent care flexible spending account.
- Flexible Spending & Health Savings account.
- Pet-plan discount program offered through Fetch.
- Company paid Long-term Disability insurance.
- Company paid Short-term Disability insurance. (NY & OK employees only)
- Company paid Life & AD&D insurance.
Benefits & Perks for all Viability staff members:
- Employer matched 403B contributions starting day 1 of employment.
- Eligible for Tuition Reimbursement.
- Generous paid time off.
- 11 Paid Holidays a year.
- Access to training and professional development resources through our comprehensive online learning platform.
- Referral Incentive bonus. For every friend, family member, or previous co-worker you refer to join our Viability team, you will receive an incentive bonus for each successfully hired candidate!
- Employee Assistance Program that provides confidential assistance for all life challenges.
- Work-life balance.
Who We Are
Our team of 480 dedicated employees share the desire to do meaningful work and make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion, and access.
Our Vision
Be a community of program participants and staff making inclusion and access of individuals with disabilities or disadvantages a way for people, businesses, and communities to succeed together.
To apply, please see the Careers section of our website at VIABILITY.org. If accommodations are needed for the application process, please call or text us at (413) 461-9486, and we will be happy to assist.
**$500 sign on bonus ($250 at the completion of first week of training and $250 after successfully completion of first 90 days)**
Position: Employment & Training Specialist 3 – Full Time
Location: Ledyard, CT
Rate of Pay: $25.80 per hour
Hours: 37.5 Hours per Week
Schedule: Monday – Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
Summary:
- Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? Viability is seeking an Employment Specialist to join our team supporting individuals who use DMHAS services and are living with mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. In this role, you will promote, develop, and expand employment opportunities—helping participants achieve their career goals and thrive in the community.
Key Responsibilities:
Support individuals in identifying, securing, and maintaining competitive employment.
Partner with employers to develop and expand job opportunities for program participants.
Provide individualized vocational counseling and job readiness training.
Collaborate with treatment teams, community partners, and families to ensure coordinated support.
Maintain accurate documentation and progress notes in compliance with program and agency standards.
Travel regularly throughout Eastern Connecticut to meet with participants and employers.
Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED/HiSET and 3 years of related experience; or
Associates degree with 2–3 years of experience; or
Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of experience.
Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders preferred.
Experience providing employment or vocational support services strongly preferred.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required (travel within the region).
“Viability values our employees and the talents that they bring with them every day. Last year 30 staff members were promoted within the agency to roles that supported their professional growth.”
Full-time Viability staff members are eligible for the following:
- Health, Dental & Vision insurance plans.
- Dependent care flexible spending account.
- Flexible Spending & Health Savings account.
- Pet-plan discount program offered through Fetch.
- Company paid Long-term Disability insurance.
- Company paid Short-term Disability insurance. (NY & OK employees only)
- Company paid Life & AD&D insurance.
Benefits & Perks for all Viability staff members:
- Employer matched 403B contributions starting day 1 of employment.
- Eligible for Tuition Reimbursement.
- Generous paid time off.
- 11 Paid Holidays a year.
- Access to training and professional development resources through our comprehensive online learning platform.
- Referral Incentive bonus. For every friend, family member, or previous co-worker you refer to join our Viability team, you will receive an incentive bonus for each successfully hired candidate!
- Employee Assistance Program that provides confidential assistance for all life challenges.
- Work-life balance.
Who We Are
Our team of 480 dedicated employees share the desire to do meaningful work and make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion, and access.
Our Vision
Be a community of program participants and staff making inclusion and access of individuals with disabilities or disadvantages a way for people, businesses, and communities to succeed together.
To apply, please see the Careers section of our website at VIABILITY.org. If accommodations are needed for the application process, please call or text us at (413) 461-9486, and we will be happy to assist.
Employment Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 341+ Employment Specialist Jobs
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Find Employment Specialist JobsEmployment Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Work Opportunities Unlimited11
- employU5
- RISE Services5
- Merakey4
- Easter Seals4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Technology & Software
- Government & Public Sector
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in employment specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field
- Experience conducting job readiness assessments and developing individualized employment plans
- Knowledge of WIOA, vocational rehabilitation programs, or workforce development systems
- Proficiency with case management software and documentation in compliance with program standards
- Strong knowledge of local labor market conditions, employer outreach, and job development
- Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) or Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential preferred
Tips for Your Employment Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to caseload experience
Employment specialists manage high caseloads, so your resume should quantify how many clients you supported at once and what outcomes you achieved, such as job placement rates or successful transitions to employment. Generic summaries won't stand out.
Highlight your certification credentials clearly
Certifications like CWDP, GCDF, or CRC carry real weight in this field. List them near the top of your resume, not buried in a footer, so hiring managers see them before they read anything else about your background.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists employment specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by funding source
Workforce development roles are often funded through WIOA, Title I, or vocational rehabilitation grants, and each comes with different client populations and reporting requirements. Knowing which funding stream a position uses helps you target roles where your specific experience translates directly.
Prepare case scenario answers for interviews
Interviewers in this field almost always ask behavioral questions centered on difficult client situations, such as handling non-compliance or a client facing multiple barriers to employment. Prepare two or three detailed examples from real casework before any interview.
Negotiate start dates around training cycles
Many programs onboard new specialists at the start of a grant quarter or program cohort. If you're offered a role, ask whether the start date aligns with an intake cycle, since joining mid-cycle often means a steeper ramp-up and less structured onboarding support.
Employment Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most employment specialists?
Work Opportunities Unlimited, employU, and RISE Services are hiring the most employment specialists right now, with openings concentrated in New York, California, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Nonprofit workforce development agencies and state vocational rehabilitation programs account for a significant share of active openings.
How many employment specialist jobs are remote?
About 22% of employment specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, though the share varies by specialization. Roles focused on job development, employer outreach, and program coordination tend to be more remote-accessible than positions requiring in-person client support or community-based services.
How do you become an employment specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in social work, human services, counseling, or a related field. Gain hands-on experience through internships or entry-level case management roles at nonprofit agencies or workforce boards. Learn the basics of labor market analysis, job coaching, and individualized employment planning. Earning a credential such as the CWDP or CRC strengthens your candidacy for mid-level and program-focused positions.
Can you get hired as an employment specialist with little experience?
Yes, many workforce development organizations and nonprofits hire candidates with limited direct experience if you can demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and comfort working with diverse populations. Volunteering at a career center, completing a human services internship, or working in a customer-facing social services role builds the foundation employers look for in entry-level employment specialist candidates.
What does the employment specialist interview process look like?
Most employers run two to three interview rounds, starting with a phone screen focused on your background with case management or job development. A second round usually involves behavioral questions about handling complex client barriers, non-compliance, or employer relations. Some organizations ask for a written scenario response or a short presentation demonstrating how you would build an individualized employment plan.
Where can I find and apply to employment specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to employment specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 341+ Employment Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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