The Employment Specialist champions employment as a key factor in mental health recovery and facilitates clients in their pursuit of vocational rehabilitation. This person administers the daily employment program activities and assists in referrals and service delivery to job seekers.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.
- Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.
- Assesses clients' vocational functioning on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
- With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
- Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on their caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
- Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
- Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
- Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.
- Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer.
- Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner.
- Returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Sees employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follows up on job leads within 48 hours.
- Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.
- 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.
- Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission.
- Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community.
- Completes all pertinent EHR records and DVR intake paperwork.
- Educates staff about employment, education, and meaningful roles for job seekers.
- Attends team meetings.
- Promotes and demonstrates Solvista Health’s mission, vision and values.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Duties (if any)
Job Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
- Ability to deliver services to job seekers in fidelity to Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
- Knowledge of job search tools and methodologies.
- Ability to secure and promote successful job placements.
- Ability to motivate and support job seekers in work roles.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including working in a team approach to assist job seekers.
- Excellent work organization and prioritization skills.
- Strong customer service skills, including public relations and community organization.
- Ability to multitask and be flexible.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Possess a general understanding of local resources.
- Proficient computer skills required, including Microsoft Word, e-mail.
- Ability to learn additional technology tools.
Education or Formal Training:
Level I
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, or related fields.
-or-
- Education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in mental health, or social services.
Level II
- Completion of state-level training.
- Completion of motivational interviewing training.
- Attainment of sustainability goal for at least 4 consecutive months.
- 1 year tenure at Solvista Health.
Level III
- Pass the national certification exam with 80% or higher.
- Attainment of sustainability goal for at least 6 consecutive months.
- 3 years tenure at Solvista Health.
Experience:
- 2 years’ experience with job development and/or vocational rehabilitation with similar population preferred
- Experience with State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Policies and Procedures for Supported Employment, Disability Benefit programs and work allowances preferred.
- Experience working with people with severe mental illness, experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
Working Conditions and Other Conditions of Employment
Working Environment:
This job operates in a fast-paced, professional office environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers. The position may require travel to conferences, meetings and branch locations on a regular or intermittent basis. Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. In the health center environment, there is potential for contact with blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases, as well as potential for contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals. There could be interaction with persons who are mentally ill, disabled, elderly and emotionally upset.
Physical Activities:
These are representative of those which must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This is a largely sedentary role but can involve standing or sitting for extended periods of time, bending at the waist, and using hands and fingers to handle and file papers or operate assigned equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Employee may also have to lift 10 to 25 lbs. unassisted.
Conditions of Employment:
- Annual TB, federally required drug screening, and Influenza vaccination or compliance with policy and procedure.
- Required possession of a valid state driver's license.
- Successful candidate must submit to and pass, post-offer drug screen.
