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