Employment Specialist

Job Details

Job Title: Employment Specialist
Location: Normal, IL 61761
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $19.00 - $21.00 hourly
Shift: First Shift

Job Responsibilities

• Provide Community Employment Services (CES) to persons with disabilities—including those with psychiatric, developmental, and/or physical impairments—using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence-based fidelity model. This includes engagement, intake, assessment, service planning, individualized rapid job search, advocacy, linkage, counseling, on-the-job training/coaching, and community support services.
• Assist with additional responsibilities such as job development, competitive placement, job retention, personalized benefit planning, and follow‑along supports for adults and adolescents with disabilities (16 years and older).
• Coordinate and develop treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, a core component of Community Employment Services.
• Manage a caseload of consumers enrolled in CES and facilitate successful employment tailored to each consumer’s abilities, strengths, preferences, desired outcomes, cultural diversity, and other identified needs.
• Ensure orientation of new consumers within Community Employment Services.
• Reopenable for educating consumers, employers, interdisciplinary team staff, DRS counselors, and other stakeholders about benefits and costs associated with disclosing a disability during the job search.
• Provide transportation for consumers placed in community employment and develop alternate resources or natural supports for ongoing transportation.
• Monitor caseloads and assist in making referrals and coordinating required services.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Mental Health Professional (MHP) status.
• At least one year of experience in vocational rehabilitation is desirable, including experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or other disabilities.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and ability to meet the organization’s insurability requirements.
• Employment is conditional upon completion of all background checks.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off, Paid Leave for All Workers (PLAW)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short-term, Long-term Disability Insurance
• Holiday Pay, Bereavement Pay
• 401(k) Contribution and 401(k) Match
• Employee Assistance Program

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bridgeway is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the objective of Bridgeway to make Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) a reality for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, race, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability or unfavorable discharge from military services and to prevent sexual harassment in employment.