Individual Placement & Support Specialist (60507)

PURPOSE OF POSITION

PURPOSE OF POSITION The IPS Specialist will provide supported employment services to young adults residing in the Rights of Passage (ROP) program and our pregnant and parenting young women program for youth aged 16-21. The IPS Specialist will be working between these two sites both located in the Bronx. The IPS Specialist will be an energetic, creative, and diligent member of interdisciplinary teams that will include the CovWorks Director and Employment Manager, program coordinators, case managers, resident advisors, employment/education staff, housing specialists, youth development staff, and credentialed mental health staff.

Reporting to the IPS Supervisor, The IPS Specialist implements the IPS Supported Employment program with fidelity to the model. Key to this model is building relationships with potential employers, and 2/3 of the Specialist’s time will be spent in the field, making connections with a wide variety of businesses and companies with the goal of helping youth find employment. When not working with potential employers, the IPS Specialist works with clients to determine educational and employment goals and find and retain employment. The IPS Specialist ensures good program outcomes are achieved by completing training and through supervision by CHNY staff and external IPS experts who consult regularly with the team.

Duties And Responsibilities

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have barriers and/or disabilities.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities.
• Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.
• Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
• Following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment, conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are Individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload.
• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe support offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
• Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from the mental health team as necessary. Adjusts plan according to client’s needs and preferences.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. For example, it returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follow up on job leads within 48 hours.
• Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.
• Participates in weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Participates in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
• Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission. Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
• Responsible for a minimum number or job starts per year and maintaining a set percentage employment on caseload.
• Always reflects CHNY’s values and principles on social media.
• Always upholds CHNY’s mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.
  
  

Management and Leadership

• Always upholds CHNY’s mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned and needed.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Education & Experience

• A.S in Education, Social Work, or Youth Development or related field required; Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience as a supervisor or manager in youth development or work readiness programs.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and writing ability; strong customer-service orientation; multi-tasker and able to earn trust and credibility.
• Has an outgoing personality, enjoys relating to people, and is easily able to make and sustain a wide network of professional relationships.
• Ability to create and deliver presentations tailored to the needs of the audience required.
• Highly motivated and target driven, with excellent communication and negotiation skills, and open to feedback.
• Flexibility in schedule and some evenings/weekends will be necessary.
• High competency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.
• Strong supervision, collaboration and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use appropriate discretion.
• Valid State Driver's License; regular travel between sites will be required.
• Bilingual preferred.
  
  

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to:

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• Life & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire
• PTO includes 3 weeks of vacation in the first year, 10 holidays, 13 sick days, 5 personal days, and birthday days off
• 403b with employer contribution after 12 months
  
  

Covenant House New York is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at deptpeopleandculture@covenanthouse.org