Employment Specialist

Job descriptionJob AnnouncementEmployment SpecialistsNOTICE: This job description is provided as a general summary of common job duties performed by individual assigned this job title. It is not all-inclusive, nor is it intended to be a comprehensive job description of this position. As a condition of employment, all agency employees are expected to perform job duties assigned by agency management even when such duties are not included in their job description.JOB TITLE: Employment SpecialistREPORTS TO: IPS Support Employment SupervisorEMPLOYMENT STATUS: Non-ExemptTIME COMMITMENT: Full-time, flexible schedulingPOSITION SUMMARYEmployment Specialist (ES) is a person in recovery who provides one on one supportive employment support an Individual Placement Services (IPS) a Supported Employment program by assisting participants to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. ES serves as a peer advocate and provides individuals with information and linkage to additional services to meet their needs. The ES will model competency in recovery and wellness.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSEmployment Specialist carry out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting participants to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.Engages participants and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job.Provide supported education, using IPS principles, for participants who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.Assists participants in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment.Refers participants to benefits counseling, as needed. Assists participant report earnings, as needed.Assesses participants’ vocational functioning on ongoing basis.Assists participant with disclosure of psychiatric status to employers, if necessary.Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of participant.Conducts employer contacts weekly. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe participants strengths that are relevant to the position.Meet participants at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, family home, or local GED or colleges, etc.Refers participants to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps participants report earnings, as needed.Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.Participates in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for participants.Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with participants. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission.AGENCY CULTUREAs our agency continues to grow and change. What worked yesterday may not work today and will likely not work tomorrow. To thrive, we must incorporate new ways of thinking and embrace new practices. As part of our individual and agency cultural change process, it is critical that as a candidate for a Youth Peer Specialist that you aspire to the following:A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values;A commitment to excellence in everything we do;A commitment to accreditation as well as performance and quality improvement;A commitment to outcomes and measured results;A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.A commitment to the people we work with.EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIREDExperience preferredIdentify with having lived experience with Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder and have an active recovery story.Demonstrates experience in embracing recovery-oriented culture.Understands recovery pathways for individuals experiencing behavioral health barriers.Ability to work under pressure. Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with ability to diffuse situation without heightening the conflict.Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast paced and growth-oriented environment, while maintained a positive, solution-oriented approach.Ability to provide excellent customer service to all those in contact with agency services.Has working knowledge of community resources.Skilled with computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.Has a strong organizational and communication skills.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSEmployment Specialist carry out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting participants to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.Engages participants and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job.Provide supported education, using IPS principles, for participants who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.Assists participants in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment.Refers participants to benefits counseling, as needed. Assists participant report earnings, as needed.Assesses participants’ vocational functioning on ongoing basis.Assists participant with disclosure of psychiatric status to employers, if necessary.Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of participant.Conducts employer contacts weekly. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe participants strengths that are relevant to the position.Meet participants at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, family home, or local GED or colleges, etc.Refers participants to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps participants report earnings, as needed.Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.Participates in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for participants.Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with participants. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission. #J-18808-Ljbffr