Employment Specialist

Job Title Employment Specialist Location Springfield, Missouri Department Employment Services Employment Type Full Time Job Summary Join our compassionate and collaborative team as an Employment Specialist, where you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop and implement personalized vocational services, helping clients achieve their career goals. We are looking for someone who is dedicated, resourceful, and passionate about empowering others to succeed in the workforce. Your expertise in the local labor market will be invaluable as you create employer relationships and support clients in their job placements. Together, we can foster long‑term vocational success and promote inclusivity in the workplace. Core Responsibilities Providing individualized career planning, job placement, and retention support. Marketing clients and services, developing career opportunities, and facilitating connections between clients and employers. Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect. Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological, and educational information to assist clients with individualized career planning, job development, and retention services. Conduct orientation for clients to explain services and discuss their rights, responsibilities, and disclosure. Assist clients with individualized career planning through interviews, community-based activities, and vocational counseling to determine strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Create employer relationships and provide employer services designed to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities. Serve as an advocate for clients with employers, referral sources, and other stakeholders. Educate employers regarding the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations. Maintain frequent contact with referral sources to discuss shared clients and identify potential referrals. Report job development outcomes and other relevant information to the supervisor regularly. Travel extensively to conduct job development and supports, including transporting clients. Education, Experience and Credential Qualifications A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required. An associate's or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred. At least one year of experience providing employment services. Additional Qualifications Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check. Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance. Must provide evidence that the incumbent is free of infectious and contagious disease, such as TB, prior to beginning employment and annually thereafter. Physical Requirements Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met. Benefits All-Inclusive Employee Benefits Package - A robust full-time employee benefits package encompassing health, dental, vision, retirement, disability, life insurance, wellness program, generous paid time off, and more. Telemedicine - 24/7 phone, web, or mobile app medical, behavioral health, & dermatology visits. Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost. Career Advancement & Wage Growth - Grow in your career with great opportunities for upward mobility and added income. Comprehensive Training - Learn and develop skills with our robust on-the-job training. Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting healthy, joyful workforce engagement. Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life. Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more. Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive. Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within. Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness. Keywords Employment Specialist, Vocational Services, Career Planning, Job Placement, Disability Services, Employment Support, Client Advocacy, Community Engagement, Job Development, Inclusive Workforce Company Culture & Mission Brightli is on a Mission: A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients. As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace. About Brightli Brightli is on a mission: A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients. We are doing this by forming a new behavioral health organization under new model. Under one parent company, multiple organizations are able to collaborate, share resources and system supports, increase recruiting and retention efforts, increase access to specialized care, and meet the growing demand for behavioral and addiction recovery care. Brightli’s top-line subsidiaries include Burrell Behavioral Health (Burrell), Preferred Family Healthcare (PFH), Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health (SEMO), Firefly, Adult and Child Health, and Places for People. While these organizations operate independently and are governed by separate board of directors, their operations and services benefit from this model. Alone, organizations may be able to navigate the current tumultuous healthcare environment, but we believe that together we can do so much more than survive. Our communities need us now more than ever, and by working together we are ready to answer their call for years to come. Organization Snapshot 200 locations 4 states 19 subsidiaries and/or affiliates 5k+ employees #J-18808-Ljbffr