Supported Employment Services
Help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find, secure, and thrive in competitive, integrated employment — the evidence-based path to true community inclusion.
What Is a Supported Employment Services?
Supported Employment Services (SE) professionals help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and other disabilities find and maintain competitive, integrated employment in the community. Rooted in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model — the most extensively researched evidence-based practice in employment services — these roles focus on rapid job search, employer partnerships, job coaching, and long-term follow-along support tailored to each person's goals and strengths. Supported Employment Specialists bridge the gap between job seekers with disabilities and inclusive employers, funded primarily through state Medicaid HCBS waivers and the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The core principle of supported employment is that everyone, regardless of disability type or severity, can work in a real job earning real wages alongside people without disabilities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 10,000 openings per year for rehabilitation counselors — the closest BLS occupational category — with a median annual wage of $46,110 as of May 2024. Employment First legislation now active in over 40 states is expanding Medicaid waiver funding specifically for supported employment, driving demand beyond general rehabilitation counselor projections. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), reauthorized in 2014, mandates that states reserve at least 15% of vocational rehabilitation funds for pre-employment transition services, further growing the field for employment support professionals.
How to Become a Supported Employment Services
- 1Earn a relevant degreeA degree in rehabilitation counseling, human services, psychology, social work, or special education is the typical foundation. The CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor) credential requires a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, though many supported employment roles accept a bachelor's degree with experience.
- 2Gain direct experience with IDD populationsPrior experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities — as a DSP, job coach, transition specialist, or similar role — builds the person-centered skills that are central to supported employment practice.
- 3Learn WIOA and vocational rehabilitation systemsUnderstanding how state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, WIOA Title IV, and Medicaid HCBS waiver employment services work is critical. Many supported employment positions are funded through these streams, and billing documentation requirements are tied to them.
- 4Pursue CESP certificationThe Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP™) credential, offered by the Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC) through APSE, is the nationally recognized standard for supported employment practice. The exam fee is $219 and eligibility requires education, work experience, and an ethics commitment.
- 5Apply with OneWellOneWell Healthcare offers IDD Supported Employment Specialist positions across multiple states. Browse current openings and apply online to join a team committed to Employment First principles.
Required Skills
- ✓Job development and employer relationship-building
- ✓Vocational assessment and person-centered career planning
- ✓Job coaching and natural support facilitation in workplace settings
- ✓Knowledge of ADA Title I and reasonable workplace accommodations
- ✓WIOA and Medicaid waiver documentation and billing compliance
- ✓Person-centered planning and individualized support plan development
- ✓Benefits counseling awareness (SSI/SSDI work incentives)
- ✓Communication, advocacy, and conflict resolution skills
Certifications
- →Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP™) — APSE / Employment Support Professional Certification Council
- →Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) — Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
- →State-specific IDD and waiver service certifications
- →CPR and First Aid
- →State-required criminal background checks and clearances
Why Work as a Supported Employment at OneWell Healthcare?
Supported Employment Services Jobs by State
Click a state to see salary data, local requirements, and open positions near you.
Open Supported Employment Services Positions at OneWell
2 active openings — updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working as a Supported Employment.
What does a Supported Employment Specialist do?
Supported Employment Specialists help individuals with IDD or other disabilities find and maintain competitive, integrated employment. Core activities include career exploration with the individual, job development (building employer relationships), job coaching at the worksite, facilitating natural supports, and providing ongoing follow-along support as the person grows in their job.
What is the average salary for a supported employment specialist?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors — the closest occupational category — was $46,110 in May 2024. Market data from Glassdoor shows IDD job coaches and employment specialists averaging $46,000–$52,000 per year. At OneWell, salaries typically range from $38,000 to $58,000 depending on role level, state, and experience.
What is competitive, integrated employment?
Competitive, integrated employment (CIE) means working in a community job that pays at least minimum wage, alongside coworkers without disabilities, in a setting where most employees do not have disabilities. CIE is the federal standard established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and is the intended outcome of all supported employment services.
What is the CESP certification and how do I get it?
The CESP™ (Certified Employment Support Professional) is the nationally recognized credential for supported employment professionals, administered by the Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC) through APSE. Over 2,100 CESPs are currently credentialed across the U.S. Eligibility requires education, documented work experience in employment support, and an ethics agreement. The exam fee is $219.
What is Employment First?
Employment First is a national policy framework affirming that competitive, integrated employment should be the first and preferred option for individuals with disabilities who want to work. Over 40 states have adopted Employment First legislation or executive orders, which direct Medicaid waiver funding and state VR resources toward community employment rather than sheltered workshops or day programs.
What is the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model?
IPS (Individual Placement and Support) is the most rigorously researched evidence-based practice in supported employment. Originally developed for individuals with serious mental illness, it has been widely adapted for IDD populations. IPS emphasizes rapid job search based on the individual's preferences (rather than job readiness training first), close integration with clinical or support teams, and employer relationship development.
Is a degree required for supported employment roles?
A bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, human services, psychology, special education, or a related field is preferred for most supported employment specialist positions. Some employers accept equivalent experience, particularly from candidates with direct IDD support backgrounds. The CRC credential requires a master's degree, but the CESP does not.
How is supported employment funded?
Supported employment is funded through multiple streams: state Medicaid HCBS waivers (which can cover both short-term and extended employment supports), state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies under WIOA Title IV, and in some cases state general funds or grants. WIOA also requires states to set aside at least 15% of VR funds for pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, a related funding stream that supports employment specialists.
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