Employment Specialist - Chester House

Salary : $52,521.00 - $61,712.00 Annually

Location : Chesterfield, VA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 25-00604

Department : Mental Health Support Services

Opening Date : 01 / 27 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 9 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Minimum Qualifications

Who We Are :

Chester House provides day programming, employment services (Individual Placement and Supports model), and transportation services for persons they serve. We are currently looking for an Employment Specialist that will help people achieve what is thought to be impossible by providing supported employment services to help individuals diagnosed with a mental illness to obtain employment. If this is your passion, then come join our team!

Minimum Education and Experience :

Bachelor's degree in Human Services field (i.e. psychology, social work, rehabilitation counseling, etc.); one year of experience in working with individuals with disabilities such as mental illness or developmental disabilities; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A) Certification is preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of supported employment; of systemic training techniques. Ability to supervise consumers in work settings; to assist consumers with physically demanding work including, but not limited to, heavy lifting, walking up and down stairs, standing for prolonged periods, squatting, stooping, bending, twisting, stretching, crawling, reaching overhead, and working in awkward positions without choice or variety; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.This position requires a strong foundation in cultural competency, an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, an ability to adhere to deadlines and complete tasks independently. This position requires strong networking skills and the ability to establish and sustain relationships with community employers. Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office software and data collection is preferred.

Additional Requirements :

Current valid driver's license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education / degree verification required.

This position is considered Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following :

• Utilizes the evidenced based practice of Individual Placement and Support Model to provide employment services to individuals diagnosed with a severe mental illness
• Spends 65% of scheduled work hours networking and establishing relationships with community employers.
• Engages with individuals diagnosed with a severe mental illness to assess their strengths, skills, and abilities for the purpose of overcoming barriers and challenges to obtaining employment.
• Assists consumers in developing individual service plans to include employment goals and objectives.
• Assesses client readiness, skills, abilities, and interests.
• Assists newly hired individuals with learning and performing job tasks in order to maintain employment.
• Assists consumers in performing job duties as needed.
• Transports individuals to employment sites and related designated locations.
• Reviews, maintains and prepares a variety of consumer records and reports (e.g. behavior, consumer progress, consumer payroll, billing).
• Performs other work as required.

Shift

Monday - Friday; 8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 00 p.m.; hours may vary based on job coaching responsibilities

Work Location

Mental Health Support Services

Chesterfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

For information on county benefits, view

What is your highest level of education completed? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)

How many years of experience do you have providing support to persons diagnosed with a severe mental illness? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)

How many years of experience do you have providing supported employment services? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)

Required Question

Salary : $52,521 - $61,712