Employment Specialist

Harbor, Inc.; Defiance (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan with company match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Harbor is seeking an Employment Specialist in Defiance to deliver evidence-based supported employment services for individuals with mental health disabilities. The role requires completing all phases of employment services within IPS/SE, coordinating with treatment teams and VR providers, and maintaining comprehensive documentation to support client progress.

This full-time, first shift position involves a caseload typically ranging from 20 to 30 clients, with a focus on integration of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work or closely related field.
• Associate degree in counseling, social work or closely related field.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based supported employment services to individuals with mental health disabilities.
• Assist with intake, engagement, assessment, and job placement within IPS/SE framework.
• Coordinate with local VR providers and treatment teams to support employment goals.
• Document service activities in client records and ISP employment sections.
• Develop individual employment plans addressing health, transportation, and social support.

Skills

Employment services

MS Word

Education

Bachelor’s degree in counseling or social work

Associate degree in counseling or social work

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MS Word

Job description

Harbor is seeking an Employment Specialist to join the Defiance team! This position is responsible for providing evidence-based supported employment services to individuals with mental health disabilities in support of competitive employment outcomes.

Position is full-time, first shift and 40 hours per week.

REQUIREMENTS

Education :

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work or closely related field; or
• Associate degree in counseling, social work or closely related field; or
• High school diploma or GED equivalent

Experience :

• Experience with providing employment services (i.e. job development, job coaching) as follows:
• Bachelor’s degree: minimum of 1 year of relevant experience
• Associates degree: minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
• No degree: minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• Proficient and accurate in computer use, including Microsoft Word.

Licensure and Certifications :

• Must have a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and show proof of personal auto insurance policy to be deemed insurable with Harbor’s vehicle insurance carrier.
• Must maintain active licensure in good standing.
• Must successfully complete a BCI/FBI background check(s) and six exclusionary database checks every 5 years, as required by OOD.
• When applicable, non-licensed staff will be required to complete 20 hours of CEUs every 24 months.
• CPR/First Aid and NCI/CPI Certifications required within 90 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work or closely related field.
• Ohio LPC, LSW, or CRC license.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities:

• The IPS model of Supported Employment operates from a view that all clients who are interested in working will have access to supported employment services. Mental Health treatment teams encourage IPS/SE participation if the client expresses a desire to pursue employment.
• From the SE Fidelity Scale: Employment Specialists (ES) provide only employment related services, with a caseload range from 20-30 and clients in various phases of employment.
• ES carries out all phases of employment services including intake, engagement, assessment, job placement, job coaching, and follow along supports. There must be integration of rehabilitation with mental health treatment teams.
• ES participate regularly in mental health treatment team meetings with shared decision making, and help the team think about employment for those who have expressed interest and have not yet been referred.
• ES service documentation is integrated into client's mental health treatment record.
• ES help the team develop employment interest related questions to be asked at intake and ongoing throughout treatment to determine that IPS/SE is accessed.
• ES facilitate referrals, eligibility information, and coordination with local VR providers and have frequent contact regarding mutual clients and meet regularly to discuss progress.
• ES organize and moderate discussion groups about employment experiences so that clients may share stories of successes and gain increased understanding, guidance, and peer support.
• Responsible for the quality and completeness of the designated area(s) of the clinical record.
• Develops and updates employment portion of Individualized Service Plan (ISP) for each client if needed, reflecting the areas of possible need related to employment: Health Care (mental health and physical health), Social Support, Transportation, Vocational/Educational, and Self-Management.
• Responsible for accurate and timely documentation which includes, but is not limited to: Activity/Progress Notes, Incident Report forms and any other forms necessary to document CPST services.
• Keyes documentation in the format appropriate and acceptable to Harbor.
• In providing billable services, fulfills or exceeds unit expectations established by Harbor.
• Assesses client needs for employment and formulates appropriate strategies to assist the client in making progress towards achieving their employment goals.
• Assists the client in identifying his/her interests, skills, and aptitudes in exploring possible vocational choices and the labor market.
• Assists the client in gaining information on the effects of employment on entitlements / financial assistance that the client may be receiving (i.e., SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, Section 8, Food Stamps) to assist the client in making an informed choice.
• Evaluates with the client optimal employer and work site job matches and may complete worksite job analysis.
• Coordinates with client employment specific needs and formulates a plan in conjunction with the client, family, and/or significant others.
• With the behavioral team evaluates and revises the employment portions of the ISP according to the client’s progress and needs.
• Assesses client needs beyond employment and formulates a plan for support in that employment in conjunction with the client, family, and/or significant others.
• Follows crisis prevention/intervention and inpatient pre-screening protocols.
• Assists the client in developing employment opportunities as well as the skills to succeed in employment.
• Promotes resiliency among youth served through identifying options available through employment.
• Provides support, education (i.e., benefits counseling, advantages of employment) and consultation to clients, families, and/or significant others.
• Actively develops employment opportunities and assists clients in learning job skills as needed, individually or in groups.
• Provides therapeutic interventions as noted in the ISP to maintain the client in employment or assist with adjustment with job loss or difficulty and potentially transitioning to a next step or job.
• Monitors clients to identify and minimize effects of psychiatric symptoms, and effective symptom management in an employment setting.
• Provides education on self-management of symptoms to clients, families and/or significant others.
• Performs community outreach for the purpose of recruitment, client engagement, and necessary support services.
• Provides coaching and mentoring assistance as needed for the purpose of maintaining and retaining employment.
• Carries and utilizes a cell phone for business related communication with supervisor and other staff.
• Assists the client, family, treatment team, employer in increasing social supports.
• Coordinates evaluations and assessments by internal and/or external providers.
• Coordinates and monitors all employment related services identified in the ISP.
• Keeps current with trends and developments related to essential job competencies, and demonstrates continued growth.
• Provides assistance in gaining access to essential community resources and linking with appropriate vocational resources (BVR, ODJFS, BWC, SS, OMJ, etc.).

General Competencies/Performance Expectations:

• Utilizes information technology systems and software applications effectively and in accordance with organizational standards and security protocols.
• Demonstrates sound judgment by analyzing information thoroughly, reaching timely conclusions, and taking appropriate, decisive action.
• Plans, prioritizes, and organizes work to ensure maximum efficiency, productivity, and quality outcomes.
• Actively seeks and utilizes supervision and feedback appropriately to support professional growth and effective job performance.
• Manages time and utilizes leave in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.

Working Conditions :

• Office and field environment.
• Driving an agency vehicle and may transport clients.
• Driving personal vehicle for work if agency vehicle is not available.
• Potential exposure to confidential information.
• Potential exposure to behavioral or crisis situations.
• This position is union. Union eligibility applies only to full-time or part-time hires; contingent or temporary appointments are not covered by the union, even if the position is otherwise unionized.

About Harbor:

• A leading provider of mental health and substance use treatment forover 100 years
• 350+ clinical staffserve over24,000 clientsacross multiple locations and in the community each year
• Services ranging from counseling, pharmacological management, primary care, psychological testing, case management, substance use treatment, residential services, vocational program, andmore!

Why Work for Harbor?

It is fast-paced and challenging, but you will have a lot of fun in the process. You will have the opportunity to meet other motivated individuals who are also making a positive impact at our company. Harbor is committed to investing our resources in you! Some benefits of working with Harbor include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, sick time, and paid holidays
• Tuition and professional license reimbursement programs
• Clinical supervision hours offered
• Ability to make a difference in your community!

Qualifications

Education

Required

Associates + 4 years Experience or better.

Bachelors + 1 year Experience or better.

Equivalent Experience or better in 5 Years Experience.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Proof of Auto Insurance

CPI/NCI

CPR/First Aid

Drivers License

Preferred

LSW

Non License Certification

LPC

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.