Certification Manager - Association of Persons Supporting Employment First (APSE), Rockville, MD
Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015
APSEFounded in 1988, APSE has played a critical role in establishing supported employment as a viable service for individuals with significant disabilities who were considered to be unable to become employed in the workforce. Since 1988, APSE has been the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. APSE has been and continues to be a strong, clear and consistent voice demanding that every individual with a disability have the same opportunities for employment as every other citizen. Through advocacy and education, APSE advances employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities.
Revenues: $1m
For more information, please visit www.apse.org
Position The Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) credential has been developed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a sufficient level of knowledge and skill to provide integrated employment services to a variety of client populations. The CESP credential is intended to help employers, employees and potential employees by increasing the visibility of - and access to - competent individuals in the profession.
Individuals who earn the CESP credential have demonstrated knowledge of the facilitation and advocacy skills necessary to help establish and expand equitable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. CESPs also raise awareness of benefits within the business community, and promote social change that fosters an independent, productive lifestyle for individuals with disabilities.
The Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC) was established in 2011 by the APSE Board of Directors to establish and implement policies and procedures for the CESP certification program and to oversee the development of the CESP examination. The ESPCC is responsible for developing and overseeing all aspects of the certification program as defined below.
Reporting to the Executive Director, and serving as an integral member of the national team, the APSE Certification Manager will be the liaison between between the national office, the ESPCC, and candidates, applicants, certificants, chapters and state officials who are stakeholders in the program. Responsible for daily certification program operations management, providing administrative support to the ESPCC, and for implementing policy decisions made by the ESPCC.
The Manager will develop a CESP plan for APSE and will work collaboratively with chapter directors to coordinate activities and will be responsible for internal communications between the national office and chapters and in regards to the CESP exam. The Manager will work with the Director of Communications and Marketing to provide updated information on exam sites and information on the benefits of the CESP certification.
Responsibilities:
- Developing a plan to expand the CESP exam to increase the program by 25%.
- Developing and maintaining relationships with state leaders, chapter leaders and members, and stakeholder organizations outside of APSE who will benefit from the certification.
- Scheduling CESP exams and processing exam applications, payment, and all logistics related to exam scheduling and follow-through, including working with the scoring consultants to provide accurate and timely score reporting and certificate to those individuals who passed the exam.
- Communicating with candidates and certificants including maintaining a candidate handbook, application forms, and up-to-date web site content.
- Maintaining a database of certificants including, but not limited to, application information, certification examination and recertification dates, exam scores, etc.
- Providing routine updates to the ESPCC and APSE Board regarding certification activities including:
• Updates at each ESPCC meeting
• Written reports to the APSE Executive Director & APSE Board at each monthly APSE Board
meeting, and verbal reports as requested
• Annual report to the APSE Executive Director, APSE Board, ESPCC and APSE membership
to be provided at the Annual APSE Conference.
• Supervising and managing the daily operations of the certification program
• Establishing and implementing a marketing plan, branding, and communication plan to
promote initial certification and retention efforts
7. Supporting the ESPCC's responsibility to propose a budget for the operation of the certification
program to the APSE Board of Directors by:
• Preparing a budget for the ESPCC's review and recommendation to APSE
• Monitoring ongoing compliance with the approved budget
• Providing regular budget updates to the ESPCC, APSE Executive Director, and APSE
8. Overseeing the certification program's finances within the established budget and financial policy
by:
• Monitoring monthly financial reporting from APSE for certification related revenues and
expenses
• Communicating regularly with APSE bookkeeping staff
• Complying with appropriate financial controls and audit requirements
9. Implementing all policies, strategic plans, and directives of the ESPCC
10. Selecting and/or supervising any employees or consultants tasked to work on the certification
program. The Manager may utilize administrative support services from other APSE departments
as needed to process application/recertification fees, maintain the applicant/certificant database,
complete bookkeeping tasks, and other administrative tasks as needed. The selection and hiring
of any employees or consultants tasked to work on the certification program must be approved
by the APSE Executive Director.
11. Providing compliance oversight by:
• Monitoring and ensuring compliance with certification program accreditation standards
• Ensuring reporting compliance for grants and federal funding
• Ensuring maintenance of all certification files and records.
12. Serving as a non-voting ex-offico member of the ESPCC and its subcommittees and/or task forces
13. Developing and distributing meeting materials and other documentation to the ESPCC
14. Other duties as assigned by the APSE Executive Director.
Desired Qualifications: Certification Manager candidates should have an Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience, as well as a knowledge of program management and knowledge and experience relation to certification credentialing.
