Supported Employment Specialist

Job Description:

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment Specialist:

Under moderate supervision, develops competitive employment opportunities for persons with psychiatric and/or substance use disabilities, using the IPS (Individual Placement & Support) model for supported employment.

Traditional Supported Employment Specialist: Under moderate supervision, develops competitive employment opportunities for persons with intellectual or other developmental disabilities, as well as mental health disorders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists clients with every aspect of obtaining and maintaining suitable competitive employment.
• Counsels and encourages clients in employment-related matters to ensure the smoothest assimilation into a competitive work force.
• Facilitates client appointments with Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Conducts individual assessment of clients' employment needs and abilities and develops realistic goals and objectives.
• Engages clients that are new to the program, or that have missed appointments. Participates weekly in treatment team meetings to develop relationships with mental health providers (IPS) and facilitate client involvement in supported employment services Assists with resume development for each client.
• Assist with all aspects of job development including finding leads, submitting applications, following up with employers, preparing for interviews, scheduling appointments, etc.
• Complete a minimum of six employer contacts per week (IPS).
• Develops relationships with employers to discover hiring needs to facilitate matching job seeking clients with appropriate employers. Provides job-site training and support to clients in a variety of community-based employment settings.
• Provides daily/weekly/monthly follow-up communications, as needed, with both employer and client, as well as Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, to ensure mutual interests are being served.
• Follow up regularly with clients that are working to offer support. Discuss social situations clients encounter in the workplace and help clients to learn to navigate social situations at work.
• Facilitate conversations with employers regarding necessary accommodations on the work site, as needed.
• Provides advocacy services on behalf of clients, such as issues related to case management, service collaboration, and resource development.
• Makes presentations to representatives of community businesses regarding persons with disabilities to encourage business support for employment opportunities.
• Assists in developing employment program promotional and marketing materials. Prepares documentation for services provided in compliance with the requirements established by funding reources and completes other prescribed paperwork.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services or related field.
• Or completion of associate's degree in Human Services or related field and CESP (national certification as Supported Employment Specialist).
• Completion of approved CPR training requirements.

EXPERIENCE

• One to two years' experience with a Bachelor's degree or an Associate's degree with CESP certification, working with the relevant client population, preferably as a Job Coach or Job Developer.
• Two to three years' experience with an Associate's degree without CESP certification, working with the relevant client population, preferably as a Job Coach or Job Developer.
• Ability to handle with objectivity a wide variety of employee/employer relationships.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position requires considerable physical exertion such as regular climbing of ladders or steps.
• May include frequent lifting of patients.
• Routine exposure to threat of bodily harm (e.g., from clients or their families).
• Normal work tasks may involve exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissue.

Time Type:

We continually help our community and employees flourish... one life at a time. As a Seven Counties Services employee there are many benefits to enjoy. Below are just some of the great benefits you might be eligible for with Seven Counties Services.

• Health & Wellness
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Health Savings Account
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability - Company Paid

• Financial Wellbeing
  • Competitive Compensation Packages
  • Life Insurance - Company Paid
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Company Paid
  • 403b Retirement Plan with Company Funded Matching
  • Retirement and Financial Planning Services

• Career Development and Growth
  • Tuition Assistance Plans
  • Loan Forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Service Corps & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance
  • Clinical Supervision toward licensure and reimbursement for certain license applications
  • At Seven Counties Services training is one of our highest priorities. We provide company paid professional training for various skills, certifications, and continuing education
  • Opportunities for growth and movement - We encourage our employees to consider new growth opportunities with us
  • Leadership Academy for our rising stars, supervisors, and leaders
  • Seven Counties Services and Center for Clinical Excellence provide staff with industry best practices and processes

• Work Life Balance
  • Paid Time Off - Generous PTO for Vacations, Illness, Personal Days, Etc. (10 Paid Holidays)
  • Flexible Work Schedules to promote a Healthy Work Life Balance
  • Employee Assistance Program - assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being

At Seven Counties Services, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.