Employment Specialist

MHS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve people’s lives and instill hope by providing cost-effective community-based mental health, drug and alcohol recovery, and housing services. We continually seek new and improved ways of serving our clients and communities. MHS is an essential business.

JOB SUMMARY

The Employment Specialist assists clients with training for, seeking, finding, and keeping viable jobs, both paid and volunteer. The Employment Specialist will help clients achieve their educational goals. The position will also serve as ongoing support to clients, including providing information and education to family members and other support persons, and provides long-term job coaching for clients to assist in work stability and retention

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Engage consumers, establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed towards goal of competitive employment in integrated job settings.
• Facilitate Job Search activities and advocates for clients as needed to ensure work success.
• Provide direct placement of clients in positions appropriate to skill level and personal needs.
• Assess consumers' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis.
• Follow IPS principles and procedures, helps consumers in job development and job search activities directed towards positions that are consistent with consumers’ needs and interests.
• Develop jobs through telemarketing, cold calls, direct contact and networking.
• Provide individualized, time-unlimited, follow-along services to help consumers sustain employment.
• Provide education and support to employers, including negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with employers.
• Provide outreach services to consumers, as necessary, when there appears to be disengagement from IPS services. If necessary, maintain some contact with consumers end without a vocational focus to sustain engagement.
• Meet regularly with treatment team members to coordinate and integrate vocational and case management services into mental health treatment.
• Develop individual employment plans with consumers, case managers, and treatment team providers, and update the plans quarterly.
• Provide expertise in areas related to work trends, employment models, potential employer profiles, and demographic data as needed.
• Actively promotes an integrated, regional system of care by participating in committees, on interagency teams and by attending meetings related to the field of employment.
• Comply with all MHS and program rules, policies and procedures including HIPAA standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A./B.S. degree in social/human services field and two years’ experience providing employment services to psychiatric population OR
• M.A./M.S. degree in Vocational Rehabilitation or similar field and at least two years’ experience providing employment services to psychiatric population
• Knowledge of behavioral management techniques, crisis intervention skills, and Supported Employment and Assertive Community Treatment models
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with persons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and education
• Ability to set priorities, problem solve, and react appropriately to emergency situations
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and EHR software
• Valid California driver’s license and current auto insurance per contract requirements • Bilingual in Spanish, preferred
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite and EHR software.
• Ability to problem solve and react appropriately to emergency situations.
• Ability to work independently and effectively collaborate with a team.

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 qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

☒ Seeing

☒ Hearing

☒ Speaking

☒ Stooping/Bending

☐ Working in cramped spaces

☒ Moving around office

☒ Moving between offices/clients

☒ Driving

☒ Climbing

☒ Lifting/carrying heavy items

☒ Pushing/pulling/dragging items

☒ Standing for long periods

☒ Working outside/underground

☒ Using hands/fingers

☒ Sitting for long periods of time

I can perform the above job duties:

☐ Without accommodation ☐ With accommodation. If so, please specify:

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MHS is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability or protected veteran status.