Individual Placement Support (IPS) Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Are you a passionate and motivated individual eager to make a positive impact in the community? Hope Cooperative is a well-respected, award-winning nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive mental health and supportive housing services across Sacramento and Yolo Counties. We’re seeking compassionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and support the most vulnerable in our community. With our ongoing expansion, we’re hiring and offering a sign-on bonus!

Position Title: Individual Placement Support (IPS) Specialist
Program(s) and Location: New Direction FSP (Sacramento, CA)
Schedule : Full-time, Non-Exempt, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (may require working some evenings and weekend schedules)
Pay rate: $23.32/hour - $24.49/hour, depending on years of experience of education

The IPS Employment Specialist provides individualized support to individuals with serious mental illness to help them obtain and maintain competitive employment. This role adheres to the principles of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and works closely with a multi-disciplinary team to support client success. The IPS Specialist offers direct client services to support vocational, employment, and educational goals, including life skills and job coaching as outlined in the client plan. Responsibilities include conducting client needs assessments, vocational evaluations, developing career profiles, and assisting with employment and education preparation and training. This position collaborates closely with community vocational services, employers, and the Department of Rehabilitation

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized support through active listening, demonstrating empathy, and conveying a message of hope and recovery.
• Observe, assess, intervene, and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations involving clients’ mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms, and substance use issues.
• Develop Employment and Education plans with clients, meeting with them as needed to encourage, support, and advocate for their progress while assisting with skill development.
• Provide ongoing, personalized support to help individuals maintain their employment, including on-the-job coaching and troubleshooting.
• Implement the IPS Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and adhere to the model’s practices to fidelity while working with clients.
• Actively pursue and maintain relationships with local businesses willing to hire program clients.
• Assist clients with transportation in a personal vehicle as necessary to support job search and employment retention activities.
• Work with a multi-disciplinary team to provide integrated psychosocial rehabilitative services to clients in the community and their homes.
• Attend team meetings to ensure continuity of care for clients and effective coordination of services.
• Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information, and support by linking clients to needed resources.
• Advocate with and on behalf of clients and their significant support persons.
• Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis e.g., Medi-Cal billing (progress notes, special incident reports, EHR forms).
• Facilitate Employment and Education Groups focused on interview and career preparation.
• Work one-on-one with individuals to prepare resumes and complete online applications.
• Facilitate groups and engage one-on-one with clients to teach fiscal responsibility, debt repayment, and general financial knowledge.
• Provide living skills coaching, including time management, personal hygiene, household management, and communication skills to support clients’ overall well-being and independence.
• Support clients in navigating Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS), Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and connections to local colleges and trade schools.
• Use motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction practices to support client engagement and progress.
• Ensure the protection and confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI) by following all policies and procedures in the agency HIPAA Manual.
• Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults, and elder/senior citizens. This includes the "Duty to Warn" responsibility to notify authorities and intended victims of physical harm.
• Ensure regular and predictable attendance to maintain consistent support for clients.
• Other job duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications:

• Ability to work with individuals who have a mental health diagnosis (MHA III or MHRS is highly desirable)
• Experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed (mental health & substance abuse)
• Lived experience as a mental health consumer or a family member/loved one of a mental health consumer
• Mental health crisis intervention experience
• Medi-Cal billing experience, rehab experience, and assessment writing skills
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mental Health Assistant III (MHA III) or Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) Certification is highly desirable
  • MHA III Certification requirements are:
    • A minimum of four (4) years of full-time equivalent (FTE) direct care experience in the mental health field providing mental health services or physical health services; OR
    • Two (2) years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health or physical health related field providing services and two years of education (60 semester or 90 quarter units) with a minimum of 12 semesters (18 quarter units) in a mental health related subject such as child development, social work, human behavior, rehabilitation, psychology or alcohol and drug counseling; OR
  • MHRS Certification requirements are:
    • Master’s Degree or PhD and two years of full time equivalent (FTE) direct care experience in a mental health setting; OR
    • Bachelor’s Degree and four years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health setting; OR
    • Associate of Arts Degree and six years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health setting. At least two of the six years must be post AA degree in a mental health setting. (FTE experience may be direct services provided in a mental health setting in the field of: Physical Restoration, Psychology, Social Adjustment, Vocational Adjustment)
      

Other Skills, Abilities, and Job Requirements:

• Ability to pass clearance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) background screenings
• Consumer of mental health services or a family member of a mental health consumer is desirable
• Work overtime as requested and approved, including after-hours duty as needed
  

Benefits:

HOPE Cooperative (also known as TLCS, Inc.) provides a competitive benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to, the following items. Please note that benefits may be subject to change:

• 21 PTO days per year (4 weeks & 1 day)
• 26 PTO days after the 5th year (5 weeks & 1 day)
• 6 days paid sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• 1 Personal Day
• Leadership Development
• Reimbursements
• Eligible for Government Loan Forgiveness Programs
• Employer-paid health insurance for employees and children (Kaiser, Sutter or Western Health Advantage)
• HSA Contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k match
• PTO Cash Out
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Disability Insurance and more
• Employee Assistance Program
• Regular wage step scale increases
• Flexible start/end times for some positions
• iPhone with unlimited data for personal/professional use and laptop for some positions
• Clinical Supervision towards licensure (for certain positions and upon approval)
• CEU days for certain positions
• Up to $500 CEU allowance for certain positions
• Annual BBQ and staff appreciation awards
• Annual Gift Card Program
• Referral Bonuses

* All benefit offerings are subject to change and are governed by the eligibility guidelines in the Employee Handbook. This list represents a general summary of available benefits and nothing stated here should be interpreted as being included in a written offer for employment.

HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Our agency embraces a diverse & culturally rich workforce, and we welcome all candidates to apply.

To apply, visit our Hope Cooperative – Online Career Center

Final Filing Date: Until Filled