Employment Services Specialist (Volunteer)

Blind Professionals Network (BPN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals to achieve professional success. We provide free career development, specialized training, entrepreneur support, and a vital peer network to break down employment barriers.

Position Summary

The Employment Services Specialist is a high-impact volunteer role focused on providing personalized, 1-on-1 career coaching and employment support to BPN members. This individual serves as a navigator and advocate, helping BVI job seekers overcome systemic barriers and develop the skills necessary to secure and maintain meaningful employment. This role is ideal for someone with a background in vocational rehabilitation, HR, or career counseling who is passionate about disability employment equity and the specific nuances of the BVI experience.

Key Responsibilities

1-on-1 Career Coaching & Exploration:

Vocational Pathfinding: Assist members in identifying career interests, transferable skills, and realistic vocational goals through structured career exploration.
Personalized Action Plans: Develop individualized employment plans that outline specific milestones for training, networking, and job applications.
Interview Preparation: Conduct mock interviews focusing on traditional behavioral questions as well as specific strategies for discussing disability and accommodations confidently.

Job Readiness & Document Development:

Accessible Branding: Help members craft high-quality, screen-reader-friendly resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles that effectively highlight professional strengths.
Portfolio Development: Assist in creating "proof of concept" portfolios or work samples that demonstrate competence regardless of sight.
Hidden Job Market Navigation: Teach networking strategies and how to leverage professional platforms to find opportunities beyond standard, often inaccessible, job boards.

Advocacy & Workplace Success:

Self-Advocacy Training: Empower members to articulate their needs regarding Assistive Technology (AT) and workplace modifications to potential employers.
Disclosure Strategy: Guide members through the nuances of when and how to disclose a visual impairment to maximize success and minimize bias.
Employer Education Support: Provide guidance on how to advocate for accessibility within an employer's digital infrastructure (e.g., HR portals, internal software, and proprietary tools).
Resource Navigation: Connect members with external resources such as State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, AT specialists, and social security work incentives (e.g., Ticket to Work).

Skill Development & Assistive Tech Guidance:

Soft Skills for the Workplace: Coach members on non-visual professional etiquette and social cues in a workplace setting.
AT Readiness: Ensure members are prepared to discuss their specific screen reader or magnification software requirements during the onboarding phase.

Qualifications

Professional Experience: Background in Career Coaching, Human Resources, Vocational Rehabilitation, or a related field.
BVI Community Knowledge: A strong understanding of the specific challenges faced by blind job seekers, including digital accessibility barriers and social stigmas.
Advocacy Mindset: Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its application in the recruitment and employment process.
Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to provide constructive feedback with empathy and clarity.
Reliability: Self-motivated with the ability to manage a small group of members independently in a remote environment.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Employment Services Manager.

Time Commitment

Average Hours: Approximately 2–5 hours per week, depending on member needs.
Flexibility: This role is remote. While coaching sessions must be scheduled synchronously with members, administrative tasks and document reviews can be completed asynchronously.
Consistency: We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to ensure continuity for the members being coached.

Application

If you believe this position aligns with your skills, experience and career goals, please follow these steps to begin the application process:

Submit Your Credentials: Send your resume and a letter of interest to Training@BlindProNet.org. In your letter, please detail your relevant professional experience and your specific motivation for joining the Blind Professionals Network Team.
Complete the Application: After submitting your application, finalize your application by completing the BPN Volunteer application.

Important Note: Completing both of these steps is essential to initiate our onboarding process and helps us ensure a mutually beneficial placement within the organization.

LOREM IPSUM