What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supported Employment Specialist position at Community Access Inc?
Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).
Program/Department Description
Our dedicated staff at Howie the Harp Advocacy Center in Harlem (HTH) work with people who have lived experience with the mental health system to build life and job skills through training, internships and job placement into peer specialist positions. The Employment Unit provides Supported Employment services, utilizing the evidence-based model, Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for people in mental health recovery, over three different contracts with specific target populations. Employment search and support is solely based on the goals and preferences of participants. We work in collaboration with participants’ recovery teams and other supports to help ensure success.
Our Ongoing Integrated Supportive Employment (OISE) program provides extended job coaching and career support services that are necessary to help people maintain employment or to place them in a new job if a job is lost or when appropriate for career development. These services provide extended mental health-focused employment supports related to helping sustain employment for individuals who have achieved job stability .Ongoing meetings with the individual are required for routine interventions to monitor their work performance and may include worksite job coaching or meeting with the employer regularly if requested by the participant.
Overview
The Supported Employment Specialist provides person-centered employment support for individuals with mental health concerns. The individual in this role will primarily be supporting people who are presently employed but will also be supporting individuals in the process of securing new employment, in instances when participants are looking to connect to new employment opportunities. The Supported Employment Specialist will also be responsible for reviewing and responding to OISE applications and admitting and discharging individuals from the program. Through a customized array of services delivered both on site and in the field the Supported Employment Specialist develops connections to community employers and provides support and skill development toward success and satisfaction in the participant’s chosen field of employment.
Job Qualifications/Requirements
- Ability to create and foster empathic, professional and respectful relationships between yourself and other people, required
- Strong computer, organizational, and documentation skills, required
- At least two years of experience working in mental health services, preferably employment or rehabilitation setting, required
- Personal lived experience with mental health concerns. Possess and maintain a NYS OMH Peer Specialist certification or be willing to obtain one within six months of employment, preferred
- Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, required (bachelor’s degree preferred)
- A commitment to upholding the philosophy, mission, and values of Community Access and Howie The Harp Advocacy Center, required
- Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the Office of Mental Health (OMH), required
- Howie The Harp Peer Training Program graduate, preferred
- Training/group facilitation experience, preferred
- Demonstrated knowledge of benefits, entitlements, or work incentives, preferred
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs.
Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.
Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.
We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal experience using
mental health services. www.communityaccess.org
