Employment Specialist/Counselor - PROS

Position: Employment Specialist/Counselor - PROS

Program/Department: PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services)

Reports to: Supervisory staff

Work Location: 1310 Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11236

Hours: Full time Monday-Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM OR 8:30AM-4:30PM

Salary Range: $45,000 - $45,000

Position Summary

Brooklyn Community Services PROS is a strengths-oriented psychiatric rehabilitation program devoted to helping adults increase independence and overall well-being. The PROS Counselor/Employment Specialist aids people living with persistent mental illnesses who have life role goals related to employment in managing symptoms, developing employment goals, and in taking concrete steps towards a better life. The PROS Counselor/Employment Specialist does so through the provision of evidence-based individual and group services aimed at the development of expanded skills and supports. Working in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, they help program participants identify an individualized, meaningful course of care to become as self-sufficient as possible.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of up to fifteen participants, providing individual counseling and case management as clinically appropriate, providing person-centered job development, benefits counseling, advocacy, and job site visits.
• Develop and maintain collateral relationships with outside supports including family, case managers, housing program staff, and medical providers.
• Conduct required assessments including the psychiatric rehabilitation, cultural, vocational readiness assessment, and the career profile.
• Develop Individualized Recovery Plans (IRPs) in collaboration with participants based on the above listed assessments on a semi-annual basis, or more often as needed.
• Develop and facilitate approximately four to ten skills-based workshops per week
• Document participants’ progress/regression towards goals in monthly summary progress notes and determine the need for service modifications on an ongoing basis.
• Provide services according to evidence-based practices including Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Family Psychoeducation, Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment, and Supported Employment.
• Receive ongoing training in the Individual Placement and Support model through the Center for Practice Innovations and engage in their ongoing learning collaborative.
• Track and submit periodic employment data to New York State, including Ticket-to-Work and NYESS
• Network with local employers including community visits to form partnerships and increase the likelihood of participants securing employment
• Identify and share job listings with participants and staff members on an ongoing basis
• Act as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, including participation in weekly administrative and clinical meetings
• Possess/develop proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and AWARDS electronic health record.
• Manage responsibility for maintenance of records, including timely documentation of services as required by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and the Office of Mental Health
  
  

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree required - preferably in psychology, social work, or human services-related field. Strong engagement and networking skills required. New graduates from above disciplines with internship/volunteer experience encouraged to apply.
• Computer skills and knowledge of service documentation required.
• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required; screening against the GSA, OIG, and OMIG lists of persons disallowed from working in Medicaid funded programs.
• Prior experience in vocational rehabilitation or job development preferred.
• Previous experience working with adults with severe/persistent mental illnesses preferred.
• Must undergo pre-employment screenings such as the Criminal Background Check required by OMH
  
  

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities