Employment Specialist

Access: Supports for Living; City of Middletown (NY); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Access: Supports for Living in Middletown, NY, seeks an Employment Specialist to deliver IPS-based, person-centered vocational services in the community. You will help participants reach employment and education goals through tailored coaching, resume development, interviewing skills, and benefits guidance.

The role emphasizes collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, ongoing job support, and crisis intervention as needed. A NYS driver’s license and interpretation needs may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s required.
• At least 1 year of vocational rehabilitation experience.
• Valid NYS driver’s license required.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish).
• Ability to work independently within an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong communication, writing, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide work readiness skills to help individuals obtain employment.
• Create resumes and review interviewing skills.
• Benefits counseling and guidance on entitlements.
• Connect with local employers and attend job fairs.
• Conduct rapid job searches to support timely access to employment opportunities.
• Deliver follow-along services and ongoing job support.
• Complete timely progress notes and attend team meetings.
• Make referrals to outside providers and community resources.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.

Skills

Communication

Writing

Organizational skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field

Associate’s Degree in related field

Tools

Electronic health record systems

Teams

Zoom

Email

Job description

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), is an evidenced-based practice that uses a person-centered and recovery-based approach to offer treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to individuals that have been diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI). Some of these individuals also have co-occurring substance use disorders. ACT supports individuals in reaching their self-identified recovery goals including work and education goals.

ACT services are provided by a mobile, multi-disciplinary team who meet at the program participant’s residence and in mutually agreed upon settings in the community where the participant feels comfortable.

The ACT Employment Specialist will utilize the evidence-based model of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services to assist individuals to obtain and maintain employment and attain educational goals as well. This role will deliver person-centered vocational support in the community, working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to ensure integrated care.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

• Provide work readiness skills to help individuals learn the soft skills needed to obtain/maintain employment.
• Create resumes, review interviewing skills and provide career counseling.
• Benefits counseling and guidance on the impact of employment on entitlements.
• Connect with local employers and advocate for clients. Attend job fairs.
• Conduct rapid job searches to support timely access to employment opportunities.
• Deliver follow-along services and ongoing job support to promote job retention.
• Complete timely and accurate progress notes for all participant and collateral contacts.
• Attend and actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Make appropriate referrals to outside providers and community resources.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:

• Complete monthly data reports to track outcomes and performance.
• Participate in team and staff meetings.
• Attend all trainings (IPS, ACT and agency specific).
• Collaborate with the ACT Vocational Specialist and clinical staff.
• Perform additional assignments as determined by the program or supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Ability to work independently while functioning as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to build professional relationships with employers and clients.
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders, evidence-based practices, and recovery supports.
• Ability to use electronic health record systems for documentation and other electronic systems for communication (e.g. email, Teams, Zoom, etc.)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field preferred, Associate’s Degree in related field required.
• At least 1 year of vocational rehabilitation experience.
• Valid NYS driver’s license required.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish).

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to perform the job's essential functions successfully.

• Must be able to move throughout the workday and meet individuals served in the community.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods while using a computer.
• Able to work in an open-space office setting in close proximity to co-workers (within 3 feet).
• Must be able to move in tight spaces as needed.
• Occasional lifting of more than 5 lbs. (e.g., carrying backpack with laptop and materials).