Employment Specialist

Mental Health America; Clifton (KY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Vacation time

Personal time

Sick time

Mileage Reimbursement

Team-building experiences and outings

Job summary

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio seeks a Supported Employment Specialist to help clients obtain and maintain competitive employment aligned with their vocational goals.

You will work with a team of specialists and community partners to provide vocational support for individuals with mental health or substance use challenges, emphasizing community-based services and person-centered planning.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma is required.
• Experience in mental health, employment services or substance use treatment.
• A valid driver's license, automobile insurance, and ability to travel as required.
• Ability to be self-motivated, accountable, and manage schedule independently.
• Completion of Kentucky SE CORE Training Series at hire or within 3–6 months.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Services or Business is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work with staff, Supported Employment team, and community partners to assess participant needs and determine goal activities.
• Assist clients in understanding benefits (SSI/Medicaid, etc.) and how employment affects them; refer to benefits counseling as needed.
• Assess vocational functioning and educate/support family members; discuss disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
• Provide individualized support to help clients maintain employment.
• Develop employment and job support plans with clients, health workers, families, and past experiences.
• Provide supported education to advance employment goals.
• Conduct job development and search activities aligned with participants' interests.
• Conduct weekly employer contacts to learn hiring needs and describe program supports.
• Spend 65% of time in community settings across duties.

Skills

Self-motivation

Accountability

Time management

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in Human Services or Business

Job description

About Us

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio is a forward-thinking non-profit organization that promotes mental health and overall wellness. We deliver a wide range of services including prevention, education, and direct care provision. At the heart of our work are our employees, a highly passionate group of people working together to help our community.

We are an affiliate of Mental Health America, the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. The organization hasover a century of advocacy, public education, andprogram/service delivery experience.

Position Summary

Working as a Supported Employment Specialist at Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio is a highly engaging position. You will assist clients with obtaining and maintaining competitive employment consistent with their vocational goals. You will be working with a team of Supported Employment Specialists to provide vocational support for clients diagnosed with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. We are looking for a highly reliable and collaborative individual to join our team. Give us your best and we'll give you ours.

What you'll do

• Work with staff, Supported Employment team, and community partners including the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to assess participant needs and determine participant goal activities.


• Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits (SSI/Medicaid/Etc.) and how they will be affected by employment for participants to make good employment decisions; refer participants to benefits counseling as needed.


• Assess clients' vocational functioning on a continuous basis utilizing background information and work experiences; with client permission provide education and support to family members; discuss client preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.


• Provide individualized support to assist clients in maintaining employment.


• Develop individual employment and job support plans with the client, mental health workers, other treatment team providers, family members, past employment experiences and information about current employment when applicable.


• Provides supported education, utilizing principles like supported employment for participants who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.


• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the individuals on the caseload following the principles and procedures of supported employment.


• Conducts weekly employer contacts to learn about the needs of businesses (hiring practices and preferences), describe support offered by the program, and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.


• This position requires 65% of time to be spent in community settings across all duties and responsibilities.

What you'll need

• A high school diploma


• Experience working in a mental health field, employment services and/or substance use treatment


• A valid driver's license, maintain current automobile insurance, and be able to travel as required.


• Ability to be self-motivated, accountable, and able to manage schedule and work responsibilities independently.


• Completion of Kentucky SE CORE Training Series required at time of hire or within 3-6 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a Human Services or Business field is preferred

Reasons why MHAN KYSWOH is a great place to work

• 2026 Recipient of the Platinum Bell Seal For Workplace Mental Health


• We advocate for wellness for everyone


• We encourage everyone to explore their talents and work toward a satisfying career experience


• We appreciate diversity and encourage people of all experiences, backgrounds, and cultures to share their talents


• Company sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance


• Additional voluntary benefit options


• Vacation time


• Personal time


• Sick time


• Mileage Reimbursement


• Team-building experiences and outings