IPS EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Job Summary:

This position reports to the Program Manager with latitude for independent actions within the scope of the mission, guiding principles, values, ethics and strategic goals of Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, Inc.  The IPS Employment Specialist carries out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting clients to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. Provides support for schooling and technical training for career advancement. Provides excellent service to both internal and external customers by way of communication and assistance and by way of quality of work.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(Essential functions of the position are listed in bold print.)

• Provides individualized services to identify occupations and training programs compatible with a client’s preferences, strengths, abilities, needs, and individual plan for employment.
• 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 disabilities.
• 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, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
• Helps clients learn about different jobs/careers by assisting with meetings with employers to ask about positions that interest clients, meetings with academic advisors, observing workers (one day or less in duration), and job fairs to speak with employers about different types of jobs.
• Conducts an average of six employer contacts per week to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the IPS Supported Employment program, and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients and may negotiate job accommodations with the employer.
• Provides timely interventions by returning phone calls within 24 hours, going see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours, following up on job leads within 48 hours, and meeting with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Assesses clients' vocational skills and preferences on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides information and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of mental health status to employers.
• Assists clients in obtaining individualized information about how entitlements (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) will be affected by employment so clients can make decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.
• Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment.
• Participates in face-to-face meetings with state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients. Collaborates with individual counselors between meetings to assist clients.
• Responsible for a minimum of 20 client job starts per year.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community (e.g. meets clients at their homes, workplaces, state VR office, family homes, helps clients follow up on job applications, etc.).
• Assists clients in learning about different education and vocational training programs related to client interests and academic aptitudes. Focuses on mainstream education and certificate training programs only.
• Offers supports prior to the beginning of education programs including accompanying new students on campus/school tours, buying books or supplies, financial aid process, applying for services with the Office of Disability Services, signing up for seminars on effective study skills, discussing where to study between classes, etc.
• Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, and others. 
• Completes all duties of the job and all work requirements.
• Models Goodwill’s core values, IMPACT. (Inspire Others, Mission First, People Matter, Align with Community, Create Opportunity, Tell our Stories)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human resources, or related field; 2 years of full-time paid employment working with persons with severe mental illness or providing employment services may be substituted for each year of post-secondary education. A minimum of 2 years related full-time paid experience required.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adjust to unexpected or different situations.
• Computer proficiency.
• Reliable cellphone.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
• Possess a positive attitude and infect others with similar enthusiasm
• Loyalty to the agency and its mission and policies.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
• Ability to use good judgment, discretion, and initiative.