Employment Specialist

Summary

The Employment Specialist provides Individual Placement and Support (IPS) supported employment and education services by assisting individuals/participants to obtain and maintain competitive employment and/or mainstream education that is consistent with their preferences, strengths, vocational goals, and recovery plans. The Specialist functions as an integrated member of the treatment team and provides services primarily in community settings, including participant-preferred locations, employer sites, educational settings, and other natural community environments. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Engage participants in community settings such as homes, libraries, schools, coffee shops, businesses, worksites, parks, and other locations selected by the participant to build a collaborative relationship focused on employment and/or education goals. 

• Complete and update a Career Profile or comparable vocational/education assessment by learning about the participant’s work history, education history, preferences, strengths, skills, support needs, disclosure preferences, and benefits considerations. 

• Develop individualized employment and/or education plans that reflect participant preferences and incorporate input from the treatment team and natural supports when the participant provides permission. 

• Begin job search, job exploration, or education exploration activities promptly based on participant preference, rather than requiring lengthy pre-vocational readiness activities. 

• Conduct individualized job development and job search activities directed toward positions that align with the participant’s interests, strengths, skills, and unique circumstances. 

• Conduct a minimum of six in-person employer contacts per week in the community to build relationships with hiring managers/business owners, learn business needs, identify employment opportunities, and describe available supports. 

• Support participants with applications, resumes, interviews, employer communication, onboarding, and follow-up based on participant preference. 

• Provide individualized job supports to assist participants in maintaining employment. Supports may occur at the workplace and/or in the community depending on participant preference and disclosure choices. 

• Develop job support plans with participants and update supports as needs, preferences, work schedules, and employment goals change. 

• Provide education and support to employers only as authorized by the participant, including discussion of job supports, accommodations, communication strategies, and retention supports. 

• Provide outreach services when participants appear to disengage, using multiple methods and community-based contacts to re-engage participants in services. 

• Respond to participant, employer, school, and team communication in a timely manner, including returning calls or messages within agency expectations and providing support around job starts and school starts.

Recovery Requirements 

• Provide responsive, respectful, participant-centered service that supports recovery, wellness, self-determination, and community integration.  

• Identify and build upon the strengths of participants, coworkers, families/natural supports, employers, schools, and the communities served.  

• Promote an organizational culture that respects and celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and individual choice.  

• Use evidence-based IPS practices and other applicable best practices to support improved employment, education, and recovery outcomes.  

• Value learning as an ongoing process that enables us to better service our clients and establishes our leadership in the industry. 

Level of Supervision 

Given 

• None, unless assigned lead duties by program leadership. 

Received 

• Works under the direct supervision of the Team Lead or Program Director and collaborates closely with the treatment team. 

Education and/or Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a minimum of two years of experience in job coaching, job development, supported employment, education/vocational services, behavioral health, social services, or a related field; or five or more years of relevant experience in job coaching, job development, supported employment, or education/vocational services.  

• Experience supporting transitional age youth, adults, and/or individuals with behavioral health needs in employment, education, vocational, or community-based settings preferred.  

• Experience with IPS supported employment principles, employer engagement, job development, benefits counseling referrals, and integrated team coordination preferred.  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations   

• Proof of: valid California driver’s license and auto insurance, as well as proof of education are .  

• Must meet agency, program, funder, and background/screening requirements, as applicable.  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of job development, employer engagement, vocational/education coordination, community resources, and supported employment/education practices.  

• Ability to engage participants in community settings and provide individualized services based on participant preference, culture, strengths, and goals.  

• Ability to coordinate effectively with treatment teams, employers, schools, VR/DOR partners, families/natural supports, and community partners while maintaining confidentiality and participant choice.  

• Intermediate computer skills and ability to use electronic health records, Microsoft Office, mobile devices, and related documentation systems.  

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, time management, written communication, and verbal communication skills.  

• Ability to prioritize competing demands, work independently in the community, meet documentation deadlines, and respond timely to participant and team needs.  

Physical Requirements 

• Community-based and office-based role; not a fully remote position.  

• Requires sitting with periodic standing and walking; may require lifting and/or moving up to 20 pounds.  

• Requires significant use of computer, tablet, phone, and/or general office equipment.  

• Requires adequate visual acuity, ability to grasp and handle objects, and ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or by telephone/video.  

• Requires frequent local travel to meet participant, employer, educational, county, training, and program needs; use of personal vehicle may be  for work-related travel.  

• May require flexible scheduling to support job starts, school starts, meetings, community contacts, and participant needs.