Position Summary

The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing community based Employment Services to persons diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness. Employment Specialist’s essential job duties include: assisting the consumer with refining interview skills, development of consumer resumes and/or master applications, establishment of relationships with potential employers, Job Development, Job Placement and for the completion of consumer treatment plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in preparing persons for successful employment and retention (interview skills, developing resume/master application), identifying individual needs and skills.

   

• Complete IPS Vocational Profile and treatment plans, Job Development and Placement, Job Coaching, and Follow Along activities. Utilizes professional judgment and decision-making in regards to aspects of employment services and implementation of evidenced based IPS Model.

   

• Completes all required paperwork, including progress notes and Vocational Rehabilitation Forms in a timely and accurate manner according to company standards and procedures.

   

• Maintains knowledge of agency technology programs and/or systems (i.e. Avatar, Time on Demand, Image Now, etc.) needed to do the job and uses them effectively.

   

• Completes progress notes in AVATAR within 72 hours of service provided, clearly reflecting the supports provided, employers contacted and next scheduled meeting time.

   

• Provides on-site job analysis, consultation, and recommendations for work site and job modifications when appropriate.

   

• Instructs persons served in job duties and expectations, demonstrates how to do the job, and offers retraining and coaching as needed.

   

• Advocates and intervenes for consumers with employers consistent with consumer needs and abilities when requested.

   

• Explores and locates new employers for potential consumer placements, including cold calls to identified job leads, establishing positive community relationships.

   

• Maintains professional relationships with Tri-County Staff, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and other identified providers.

   

• Assists consumers in getting to potential job sites and employment opportunities/meetings.

   

• Works as a member of a team, insuring monthly budget goals are met by turning in necessary VR paperwork in a timely manner according to company guidelines.

   

• Attends regular scheduled Employment Services staff and Treatment Team meetings.

   

• Ensures that the Consumer’s CS Worker/Treatment Team is informed of consumer progress while in the Employment Services program. Also responsible for inviting CS Worker to quarterly meetings with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

   

• Maintains required training and certifications.

   

• Other duties and/or responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Active driver's license and minimum state-required automobile insurance required.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Annual TB screening.

Experience Required:

• 1 to 2 years prior experience preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of recruitment, hiring practices, and local businesses/job market.

• Knowledge of rehabilitation services and community resources.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written skills.

• The ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with Tri-County staff, clients and other providers in a professional manner.

• The ability to use basic business equipment including fax, copier, laptop, etc.

• The ability to use personal vehicle to transport clients according to the organization’s Vehicle Safety Standards.

• Knowledge of basic computer and software skills, prior experience with Microsoft Outlook preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee may be required to walk or stand for up to two hours; the employee is frequently required to sit at a standard computer desk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee is required to drive to various locations depending upon their work load during the course of the day. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

*The employee may be exposed to various work environments when transporting and assisting clients which are different from that in a standard office setting.