Easterseals Academy is a therapeutic school that provides schooling for children with an autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, developmental delay, or intellectual disability. School districts refer students to Easterseals Academy where the schools provide an alternative school placement for these students to help them to achieve independence. Easterseals Academy has three campuses, located in Chicago, Machesney Park, and Tinley Park.

HarrysButtons is a social enterprise program within Easterseals Academy that improves the lives and futures of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities by providing employment opportunities through the production of buttons, magnets, and customized apparel.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

The Employment Services Supervisor (ESS)- Adults w/ Disabilities is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Easterseals’ social enterprise, HarrysButtons. This position supervises and supports work at 2 locations: the Chicago and Tinley Park campuses of Easterseals Academy. This position delegates and supervises production, assembly, and other work for adults with disabilities creating buttons, magnets, and customized apparel. The ESS provides all needed support and assistance to ensure that employees achieve their highest level of independence and that work is completed on time and up to quality standards. The ESS also assists with the promotion of HarrysButtons by creating marketing content and new product designs, as well as leveraging social media. The ESS reports directly to the Employment Services Coordinator.

This position is located at the Harrys Buttons at TWO campus locations - Tinley Park Campus at 17300 Ozark Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477 and Chicago Campus at 1939 W. 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Support and Supervision (60%):

• Provides onsite support and supervision of production work at HarrysButtons.
• Supervises and supports adults and students with disabilities performing production and assembly work
• Provides opportunities for skill development of HarrysButtons associates.
• Creates visual and physical supports to maximize the independence of HarrysButtons associates.
• Maintains records of associate hours worked and work completed.
• Provides Employment Services Coordinator with associate performance reports and shares concerns/questions in a timely manner.

Marketing, Business Operations (40%):

• Under the direction of Employment Services Coordinator, contributes to marketing and business operations at HarrysButtons.
• Prepares materials and equipment for production work.
• Tracks and reports order progress and ensure completion prior to deadlines.
• Tracks inventory.
• Compiles, processes, and tracks company uniform orders.
• Creates new social media content and posts regularly.
• Performs some graphic design work.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred.
• Must have Paraprofessional Certificate (ISBE) or obtain it within the first 6 months of employment.

Experience Required:

• 2 years of production or retail supervisory or management experience.
• 1-year experience working with people with disabilities.

Preferred Experience:

• Some marketing education or experience is strongly preferred.
• Some graphic design experience is preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Proficient with the following programs: Word, Excel, Publisher.
• Some experience with Adobe Photoshop & Abode Illustrator.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Must have a reliable vehicle and the ability to travel to multiple locations (mileage reimbursement available).
• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to use data tracking systems and utilize various software programs for project and program efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and to cultivate an atmosphere of cultural responsiveness, respect, and teamwork.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a high-stress and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain and maintain certification in agency-required crisis prevention and intervention training and CPR.
• The ability to move about a hybrid manufacturing/office/school environment to access various equipment or materials.
• The ability to move equipment and materials, up to 50 lbs.
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need; and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, computer, and copier.
• Regional travel is required for this position.

ADA: Easter Seals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

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