IPS Employment Specialist ACT Team

Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist

This is a unique opportunity to assist Unity House of Troy's vulnerable populations through meaningful, recovery-oriented employment services. The Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist is a core member of the ACT Team and is responsible for helping individuals with serious mental illness obtain and maintain competitive employment and pursue educational goals using the evidence-based IPS model.

$2,500 Sign-On Bonus

Key Responsibilities

• Actively collaborate with the ACT Team and other Unity House programs to develop, implement, and monitor individualized employment services.
• Provide direct support to participants seeking competitive employment, including resume development, completing job applications, and supporting the interview process.
• Assist participants with educational services, including coordination and visits to local GED programs, vocational programs, and colleges.
• Provide follow-along job coaching and ongoing support to assist individuals in maintaining employment.
• Build and maintain relationships with local employers to support community-based employment opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and timely case record documentation in accordance with program funding requirements and Unity House policies.
• Ensure the electronic health record system is updated appropriately, including required employment-related documentation.
• Participate in ACT Team meetings, service planning, and coordination of care.
• Promote and model an environment of inclusion, respect, and belonging for participants and colleagues.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least six (6) months of personal or professional experience in human services working with individuals with severe mental illness.
• Experience providing employment services to individuals with barriers to employment preferred.
• Valid New York State driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel independently, with or without reasonable accommodations, throughout the community.
• Ability to conduct outreach with local employers and work in community-based settings.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to produce reports and effectively use computer software and electronic documentation systems.

Additional Expectations

• Commitment to recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed practices.
• Adherence to Unity House policies, confidentiality standards, and professional conduct expectations.

Benefits

• 13 paid days off in your first year for full time employment (increases every year)
• 56 hours of NYS Sick Leave
• 12 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Major medical leave
• Medical/dental/vision/life insurance
• 403b contributions after one year
• Plus, gym, tuition and cell phone discounts and a 50% reduction in childcare tuition at A Child's Place.
• Come work for an agency that cares about their employees and community!

Unity House is a Rensselaer County-based human service agency that provides a wide range of services to meet the otherwise unmet needs of people in our community who are hurting and struggling. We assist those who are living in poverty, adults living with mental illness or HIV/AIDS, victims of domestic violence, and children with developmental delays. We work to achieve social justice in our community and to create a better understanding of those we serve.

As An Equal Opportunity Employer, we commit ourselves to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, age, sex, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics national origin, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, military status, pregnancy related condition, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

Join us in making life better for people living with mental illness