Community Employment Specialist

Essential Job Functions: 

• Conducts employment and educational assessments with clients to determine the employment aspirations, experiences, abilities, skills, salary expectations, insurance needs, school readiness, educational level, transportation needs, and potential obstacles.
• Analyzes pertinent findings from medical, psychological, prior work experience, and past school records in order to maximize employment opportunities and school readiness.
• Assists person served to become knowledgeable regarding the impact of employment and/or educational pursuits on disability and other benefits.
• Identifies potential employment or educational opportunities through accessing existing resources, networking and assisting clients in job search or school enrollment.
• Negotiates (when necessary) with potential employers in an effort to customize a job, create a job, or implement needed accommodations.
• Works with educators to implement necessary educational plans.
• Completes a work site analysis through observing a skilled worker completing the job and identifying appropriate instructional strategies to be used with person served.
• Completes a school site analysis through observation to ensure success.
• Completes an analysis to determine whether the workplace or school setting will be a supportive environment for a person served who may need some level of ongoing support from his/her co-workers or fellow classmates/educators.
• Acts as an advocate for the person served when necessary and conducts a regular review of needs for ongoing supports.
• Provides follow-along support services aimed at giving clients practical assistance to facilitate good performance, prevent crisis from arising, and promote success at work or school.
• Responds immediately when issues arise concerning the person served.
• Maintains files for person served and accurately documents all services rendered.
• Participates in scheduled team meetings.
• May participate in collaborative treatment planning and review meetings with client/relatives.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university or college with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, criminal justice, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or other related human services field required; a minimum of one year of full time or equivalent experience working with the target population preferred. A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university or college in a discipline other than previously noted will be considered if the candidate has three years of full time or equivalent experience working with the target population.  Additional education and/or experience may be required as per specific program guidelines.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities: 

• Knowledge in the area of adult and adolescent mental health.
• Ability to learn, perform and teach a wide range of job tasks as expected by the employers and educators who participate in this program.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, materials and practices used in vocational labor and trades; knowledge of the hazards and precautions necessary to conduct labor and trade operations.
• Knowledge of school settings and basic educational requirements for high school and advanced learning.
• Ability to inspect work/school settings and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to utilize positive reinforcement techniques to encourage individuals with disabling conditions or functional limitations to realize their maximum potential.
• Ability to intervene with verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and utilize de-escalation skill techniques to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the client and all others.
• Ability to handle emergency situations in a calm manner.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle to transport persons served; ability to operate equipment such as a computer, fax machine, copy machine, etc.
• Ability to communicate in writing and in person with clients, the community and other agencies/businesses.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment.  Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application: This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. It should not be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.