Employment Specialist

Job Description:

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Location: Springfield, Missouri

Department: Employment Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Summary:
Join our compassionate and collaborative team as an Employment Specialist, where you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment. In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop and implement personalized vocational services, support clients in achieving their career goals, and foster relationships with local employers. We are looking for someone who is dedicated, flexible, and passionate about helping others succeed in their employment journey. Your expertise in the local labor market will be invaluable as you create opportunities for long-term vocational success.

As an Employment Specialist, you will be responsible for providing individualized career planning, job placement, and retention support. You will work closely with clients to understand their strengths and preferences, helping them navigate their employment journey while advocating for their needs in the workplace.

The Employment Specialist position offers…

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Career Advancement & Wage Growth - Grow in your career with great opportunities for upward mobility and added income
• Comprehensive Training - Learn and develop skills with our robust on-the-job training
• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting healthy, joyful workforce engagement

Key Responsibilities:

• Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.
• Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological, and educational information to assist clients with individualized career planning and job development.
• Conduct orientation for clients to explain services and discuss their rights and responsibilities.
• Assist clients with individualized benefits planning and job retention skills.
• Create and maintain employer relationships to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
• Educate employers on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations.
• Promote services and clients professionally through community events and awareness activities.
• Maintain frequent contact with referral sources to discuss shared clients and identify potential referrals.
• Respond to crises that may occur with clients at their worksite.
• Travel extensively to conduct job development and support, including transporting clients.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required; an associate's or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.
• At least one year of experience providing employment services.

Additional Qualifications:

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.
• Must provide evidence that the incumbent is free of infectious and contagious disease, such as TB, prior to beginning employment and annually thereafter.

Physical Requirements:

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.

Brightli is on a Mission:
We are dedicated to changing and saving lives through our commitment to helping individuals achieve their employment goals. If you are ready to make a difference and join a team that values compassion and collaboration, we encourage you to apply today!

Keywords: Employment Specialist, Vocational Services, Career Planning, Job Placement, Disability Support, Employment Services, Client Advocacy, Job Retention, Community Engagement, Employer Relations

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expressions, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors.

Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.