Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

Join our compassionate and mission-driven team as an Employment Specialist, where you will play a vital role in helping individuals achieve meaningful, competitive employment and long-term vocational success. This position offers the opportunity to make a direct impact by supporting clients through individualized career planning, job placement, and retention services while building strong relationships with local employers and community partners. If you are passionate about workforce development, enjoy building relationships, and are motivated to help others overcome barriers to employment, this role allows you to make a lasting difference while working in a collaborative and supportive environment.

In this role, you will guide clients through all phases of vocational services, including assessment, job development, placement, and on-the-job support. You will analyze labor market trends, advocate for clients, partner with employers to meet workforce needs, and support individuals in maintaining employment and achieving long-term independence.

This position offers:

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel
• Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
• Workplace Culture – An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
• Additional Perks & Benefits – Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized vocational services, including career planning, job development, placement, and retention support
• Assist clients with identifying strengths, abilities, preferences, and employment goals through interviews and community-based activities
• Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological, and educational information to support individualized employment planning
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers to create competitive, integrated employment opportunities
• Advocate for clients with employers, referral sources, families, and other stakeholders
• Educate employers on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and support reasonable job accommodations
• Teach and reinforce job-seeking and job-retention skills with clients
• Assist clients with benefits planning related to employment, work hours, and wage changes
• Provide on-site or off-site job supports as needed to promote job retention
• Maintain regular communication with referral sources to coordinate services and identify new referrals
• Report job development outcomes, placements, retention progress, and concerns to leadership
• Respond to workplace crises involving clients when needed
• Travel extensively within the community to support job development and provide transportation to clients as required
• Promote the organization, services, and clients through community outreach, events, and presentations
• Adhere to confidentiality, CARF, and contractual standards at all times
• Perform additional duties as assigned by leadership

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing employment services
• Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, case management, and community-based employment services preferred

Additional Qualifications:

• Must have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and current auto insurance
• Ability to travel extensively and transport clients as required
• Strong customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Proficiency with computers, including Word, Excel, internet platforms, and electronic documentation systems
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, or overnights as needed
• Must provide evidence of freedom from infectious or contagious diseases (e.g., TB) prior to employment and annually thereafter when required

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally
• Ability to perform repetitive hand, finger, and arm movements for typing and documentation
• Ability to sit for extended periods with occasional walking or standing
• Ability to meet the physical demands of a sedentary work environment

Position Perks & Benefits:

• 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

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 user 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 encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.