Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Employment Specialist

Job overview

The Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Employment Specialist role is based in Kailua-Kona, HI, with work across West Hawai‘i schools, community locations, and work-based learning sites. Compensation is $27 per hour starting pay and $18 per hour during training. Full Life supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services promoting independence, inclusion, and personal growth. The specialist helps high school students with disabilities explore careers, build workplace readiness and self-advocacy skills, and prepare for employment and life after high school. The role combines individual and group instruction with hands-on community experiences and coordination with families, schools, employers, and vocational rehabilitation staff.

What you'll do

• Help students identify career possibilities
• support workplace readiness, self-advocacy, and communication skills
• teach job search, resume development, and interview preparation
• coordinate job shadowing, employer visits, volunteer experiences, and internships
• build relationships with students, families, teachers, schools, employers, and vocational rehabilitation staff
• assist with school-break programs
• connect local businesses and organizations with students for work-based learning.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

pre-ets employment specialist

kailua-kona hi

full life hawaii

intellectual and developmental disabilities

career exploration

workplace readiness

self-advocacy

job search skills

student support

community work experiences

$27/hr starting pay

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Medical insurance or $200 monthly stipend
• paid time off for full-time employees
• 3% 401(k) match after 90 days
• cell phone stipend
• mileage reimbursement
• student loan repayment assistance
• referral bonuses
• mentorship and ongoing training.

Why this role

Approximately 25–30 hours per week; travel between schools, community locations, and work-based learning sites is required; ACRE certification is required within the first six months.

About the employer

Full Life Hawaii is hiring for this role. Industry: Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Sector: 62.