Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist Job Description

Established in 1948, the Mission of ASCEND Mental Wellness is to encourage and assist individuals in discovering pathways to their optimal mental health and wellness, while supporting hope and awareness of well-being in our community.

Our Support Services department is seeking an Employment Specialist to join our East Side Center Day Program team. In this role, you will help facilitate our Work Program, supporting members in developing both personal and employment skills. The ideal candidate has job coaching experience and is skilled in creating and leading member groups on topics such as soft skills, employment readiness, and other client-centered areas.

ASCEND offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare benefits, retirement plan enrollment, and paid time off including holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time.

Employment Specialist Qualifications & Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent and two years' experience working in human services.


• Job coaching experience preferred but not required.


• Valid NYS driver's license acceptable to Agency insurance standards.


• Must be of good character and background and display an affinity for working with people with mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders.


• Must have the ability to work independently, have good problem-solving skills, strong boundaries and have the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Employment Specialist Job Responsibilities, include but not limited to:

• Create and facilitate member groups covering a broad range of topics related to soft skills, employment skills and other client-centered areas.


• Maintain primary contact with a designated number of clients working in the work program and assist in maintaining client records for those individuals. Complete performance evaluations and assessments.


• Provide supportive counseling and job coaching to clients as appropriate, with a client-centered approach.


• Provide behavioral intervention when necessary and work with clients to establish adequate self-control and de-escalation techniques. Intervene effectively and appropriately in crisis situations.


• Create/maintain work schedules, facilitate work program team meetings and maintain timecards for work program.


• Check agency mail and post on meter.


• Maintain program statistics and inventory as needed and assigned.


• Facilitate and attend community outings in agency vehicles.


• Assist in coordinating the transportation needs of clients to and from the program, provide transportation in agency vehicle when required.


• Participate in regularly scheduled staff and support specialist team meetings.


• Attend appropriate in-service trainings and maintain Relias trainings.


• Carry out special tasks as requested by the East Side Center Coordinator or Director of Support Services to ensure smooth functioning of the program, consult with and assist leadership in conducting special projects which may enhance the functioning of the program.


• Maintain a safe environment for all clients and staff.


• Maintain effective communication with other staff members and supervisors.


• Preserve human dignity and confidentiality of all clients and act in the best interest of those served through the Agency's programs and services.


• Always assure quality of work.


• Adhere to all laws and regulations applicable to the Agency's business.


• Adhere to the Agency's Corporate Compliance Program and established policies and procedures.


• Always positively represent the Agency within the community.


• Have adequate computer skills in Microsoft Suite.


• Actively participate in Agency sponsored staff development and in-service educational programs as deemed necessary by supervisor, including mandatory training assigned by job title.

ASCEND Mental Wellness provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.