Vocational Specialist

Founded in 1974, Community Access celebrates its **_50_**_th_**_ Anniversary_** as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. **_We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives._** Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, East Village Access—a PROS program, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).

**Department Overview**

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based, mobile practice model designed to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support services to individuals living with a serious mental health condition and whose needs have not been effectively met by traditional mental health services. Community Access’ Bronx Shelter ACT Team serves individuals with mental health conditions who are homeless and temporarily housed within a mental health shelter. Team members will work collaboratively with shelter staff throughout the boroughs and use assertive engagement strategies to proactively engage individuals in services. ACT team members share responsibility for the people they serve, helping individuals attain housing and other personal goals that may be of a health, social, work or education nature.

**Position**: Vocational Specialist

**Work Location**: ACT Team, Bronx NY

**Wage**: $31.63

**Benefits**: 3 weeks’ vacation, 5 personal days, 12 sick days and 11 paid holidays, summer flex hours, work anniversary, comprehensive medical and dental plans, Health and Wellness Reimbursement Plan, 403b Employee Retirement Plan with Employer Match.

**Position Overview**

The **Vocational Specialist** leads responsibility for integrating vocational goals and services within the tasks of all team members. The specialist works as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing the range of ACT services to assist participants in achieving their treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery goals. Some essential job functions of the **Vocational Specialist **are to complete vocational assessments with participants, explore and identify interest, employment history, experience, and skills. Guiding job exploration and matching work or vocational experience to participants interest and strengths. The comprehensive activities that are a responsibility of the **Vocational Specialist** would be to provide services to program participants directly in the community, including in shelters, one the streets, in hospitals, in supportive housing, and in any other environment in which a participant my reside.

**Qualifications**:
**Qualifications**
- Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
- Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants’ rights, and self-determination in service provision.
- Educational Requirements: Master’s Degree in a qualifying “Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts” program, i.e. social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, etc.
- At least 1 year of training and/or experience in vocational assessment, job exploration, and skills development in choosing, getting, and maintaining employment, employment counseling or vocational rehabilitation
- Comfort using a variety of computer programs - Community Access ACT is a paperless program and relies heavily on digital tools for documentation and case management.
- Available to work a flexible schedule, mornings, evenings and weekends in response to participant needs.
- Comfort using public transportation and traveling throughout the boroughs.
- Ability to lift/carry 25 pounds.
- Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the New York State Justice Center.

Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.

Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal experience using mental health services.