Employment Specialist

JOB SUMMARY
The Supported Employment Specialist (ES) is an integral part of the Supported Employment Program, an evidenced-based practice that helps people with mental illness find competitive employment in their communities. The ES provides vocational assessment, job search strategies, interview preparation, resume development, job development, rapid placement, job follow-up, training and supports for individuals in the Supported Employment Program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Supported Employment Specialist:

Engages individuals and establishes trusting, collaborating relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in the community setting
Assists individuals in thinking about long-term employment goals, work history, strengths, cultural preferences, justice involvement, and other factors that relate to current vocational goal(s)
Develops a career assessment, profile and individual employment plan for with each individual enrolled in SE
Completes updates to the profile yearly or when there is a change in employment or education status
Provides education and support to family members, with individual’s permission, about employment and gathers input about skills, interests, strengths of individual, and ideas for job supports
Discusses individual’s preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers, including possible costs and benefits of information to be disclosed
Conducts job development and job search activities
Refers individual’s for benefits planning to learn about work incentives offered by the Social Security Administration or other entitlement systems
Facilitates a minimum of six (6) in-person employer contacts weekly
Is responsible for a minimum of 10 job placements each year after the first year of employment
Provides individuals follow-along supports to assist in maintaining employment
Participates in weekly meetings with MH treatment team
Attends monthly meetings with Vocational Rehabilitation
Spends 65% of time in the community
Conducts all work using the principles of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model
Additional duties may be assigned by Program Manager and/or Director

WORKING CONDITIONS

Community and clinic setting
Monday-Friday 8:15am-5:00pm, providing services in-person and via telehealth/telephone
May require occasional evening/weekend or adjusted hours due to clients’ employment, community events, and/or program need
Ability to use a computer, telephone, fax, copy and scanning machine
Must complete/pass agency-sponsored defensive driving course, as well as all other agency-required trainings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience equivalent to undergraduate degree
Experience working with people with serious mental illness
Proficient computer skills to be able to use electronic medical records
Must have valid Georgia driver’s license and transportation to/from work, complete/pass agency-sponsored defensive driving course
Possess strong interpersonal skills/be a positive team player, ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and foster relationships with businesses/employers