Melissa Gerber Email & Phone Number

Kapolei, Hi, Us

Honolulu, Hawaii And San Antonio, Texas

Vocational Programs leadership, Staff training, and partnership acquisition.

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

• Oversee a 7-member team of Employment Counselors, Trainers, and Job Developers tasked with helping create employment opportunities for adult/youth populations with severe-to-moderate disabilities• Manage ~$1M in annual Workforce Development contracts/grants, assign caseloads to staff, mentor staff in effective case management techniques, and designed a new tool to manage employee performance• Cultivate partnerships with local employers, drive job development efforts, provide education around modern disability issues and accommodations, and identify ways to overcome challenging work barriers• Serve as a champion and advocate for DEI issues—specifically related to physical/mental disabilities—and continuously seek to develop solutions to address the emerging/unmet needs of disabled job candidates• Design new training curricula related to pre-employment, technology, retail/stock, grounds maintenance, and food service—facilitating "train the trainer" sessions to teach staff how to lead the new classes• Developed a breakthrough program (the Wellness Through Work Summer Youth Employment Camp) to provide training and paid employment to over 50 disabled youth, working in partnership with the YMCA• Additionally collaborated with the Fairmont Orchid (luxury hotel) to create competitive employment opportunities and facilitate a series of paid training opportunities for disabled individuals, ages 18-27

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

• Promoted to supervisory role, focused on training/mentoring new Employment Education Counselors• Led the team in the number of successful job placements, as well as in employer recruitment efforts• Assisted the Program Manager with a variety of workforce development reporting/documentation needs

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

• Assessed participant needs/eligibility for the organization's services and coordinated intake procedures• Performed detailed job analysis to match potential openings with individuals’ needs, interests, and skills• Provided logistical support in terms of resume creation, interview preparation, and job transportation

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

• Designed/taught a wide range of training classes related to work competencies and soft skill development• Tracked student progress, administrated pre- and post-education tests, and drafted progress reports• Partnered with local employers and community groups to identify emerging skill needs and training areas

Bachelor'S Degree, Education - Emphasis In English, Secondary

Master'S Degree, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling