Veterans Employment Specialist

SUMMARY

Deliver intensive, customized employment and related services to homeless Veterans and/or Veteran families through empowerment, clinical techniques, and employment assistance in order to return to self-sufficiency.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

    Empowerment

• Establish relationships and inform homeless Veterans, sub-populations of Veterans, military families, and soldiers of VOAMI Veteran programs.
• Be knowledgeable of places where Veterans and individuals associated with the military congregate.
• Develop educational opportunities with institutions in the community that are suitable to the needs and desires of clients
• Coordinate with relevant VOAMI staff and community partners to provide needed supports to attain empowerment and employment goals
• Conduct periodic evaluations and provide regular feedback regarding client’s employment search and employment performance with service coordination teams and supervisor
• Stay abreast of best practices when serving Veterans and sub-populations of Veterans in need

    Clinical Techniques

• Coordinate case management with VOAMI Veteran staff and relevant VOAMI staff
• Coordinate with program partners for case management to determine client eligibility and disposition to employment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the Veterans through therapeutic techniques such as motivational interviewing, strengths-based approach, or person-centered approach in order to foster a relationship that assists them with overcoming barriers
• Perform basic counseling skills i.e. motivational interviewing, strengths-based approach, cognitive behavioral therapy

    Employment Assistance

• Maintain developed community partnerships through regular interaction
• Participate in the development of each member's Individual Employment Plan, which will detail member's employment readiness goals and an action plan for achieving those goals
• Develop employment positions with employers in the community that are suitable to the needs and desires of clients
• Conduct individual assessments and job readiness and identify employment-related deficits
• Maintain VOAMI and Department of Labor databases as it relates to employment and enrollees
• Facilitate or co-facilitate weekly employment readiness and employment support groups
• Develop and maintain relationships with program partners, community partners, employer supervisory staff, and other VOAMI Veteran staff and related VOAMI staff
• Develop and maintain relationships with business, non-profit, and government employers
• Coordinate with program partners to attend outreach/educational events and meetings
• Maintain and strengthen employment and outreach databases
• Inform employers of veteran employment tax benefits and wage subsidies

    Additional responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and achieve individual goals within position, as agreed upon with the Veterans Employment Manager
• Maintain client files and paperwork as required by program standards
• Complete all relevant trainings on VOAMI’s Relias System in a timely manner
• Exercise discretion while working with community partners, stakeholders, external partners, and Veterans
• Use independent judgment when providing therapeutic assessments, treatment plans, clinical decisions and managing matters of significant crisis in the absence of immediate direction or supervision
• Represent VOAMI in a professional manner when conducting business in the community and attending community events with community partners
• Maintain compliance with VOA Michigan policies and procedures
• Ensure that all duties are carried out in a timely and orderly fashion so that VOA Michigan functions in the most efficient manner possible
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, AND ABILITES

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related social services field in which advanced knowledge was obtained through specialized intellectual instruction or equivalent of 1 (one) year experience with disabled populations or equivalent combination of education and experience to include training received while serving in the military.

• Basic knowledge of mental health disorders
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with employers and manage employer accounts
• Availability to work a non-traditional schedule that includes holidays, evenings and weekends
• Professional appearance and sensitivity to others
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Information technology skills
• Ability to work effectively with individuals of varying stability, incomes, skill levels, experiences and cultures
• Ability to speak and write clearly
• Must maintain a valid Michigan Driver’s License, driving record that meets insurability requirements and have own transportation

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, stand walk, talk, see, hear and drive.  Must also have finger dexterity and feeling.  Vision requirement includes close and distant vision.

Environmental Working Requirements:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Works primarily inside.  Works closely with Employment Specialist, Outreach Specialists and VOAMI Veterans Housing Staff.  Interacts with a diverse public.  May be subjected to interruptions throughout the day.  May be subject to hostile and/or emotionally upset public.  

VOAMI is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for both our employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.