Employment Specialist

Bridgeway; Galesburg (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & PLAW

Medical Insurance

Holiday & Bereavement Pay

401(k) Match

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Bridgeway in Galesburg, IL seeks an Employment Specialist to provide Community Employment Services (CES) using the IPS fidelity model. You will engage with individuals with disabilities to support long‑term, competitive community employment.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and Mental Health Professional (MHP) status, with at least one year in vocational rehabilitation preferred. Travel, background checks, and driving are part of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience required.
• MHP status required; licensure or certification may be necessary.
• Experience in vocational rehabilitation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and place individuals in competitive employment; provide follow‑along supports.
• Serve adults and adolescents (16+) with disabilities.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary team on service planning.
• Manage a caseload to facilitate employment aligned with abilities and needs.
• Orient new consumers to Community Employment Services.
• Educate consumers, employers, and staff about disability disclosures.
• Arrange transportation and develop natural supports for clients.
• Refer and coordinate additional services as needed.

Skills

Reliable transportation

Valid driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience

Mental Health Professional (MHP) status

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Galesburg, IL 61401

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $19.00 - $21.00 Hourly

Job Shift: First Shift

Come Join Bridgeway…make a difference in someone's life!

The Employment Specialist provides Community Employment Services (CES) to persons with disabilities – individuals with identified psychiatric, developmental, and/or physical impairments, with the desired outcome being long‑term, stable, competitive community employment. Community Employment Services utilize the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence‑based fidelity model that includes engagement, intake, assessment, service planning, individualized rapid job search, advocacy, linkage, counseling, on‑the‑job training/coaching, and community support services.

Responsibilities

• Additional responsibilities include job development, competitive placement, job retention, personalized benefit planning, and follow‑along supports.
• The population to be served includes adults and adolescents with disabilities (16 years and older).
• Coordination and treatment planning with the interdisciplinary team is an integral component of Community Employment Services.
• Work with an identified caseload of consumers enrolled in Community Employment Services to facilitate successful employment for each consumer commensurate with his/her abilities, strengths, preferences, desired outcomes, cultural diversity and other identified needs.
• Assure orientation of new consumers within Community Employment Services.
• Reopenable for educating consumers, employers, interdisciplinary team staff, DRS counselors and other stakeholders about benefits and costs associated with disclosing a disability as part of the job search.
• Provide transportation for consumers placed in community employment, developing alternate resources/natural supports for ongoing transportation.
• Monitor a caseload of people and assist in making referrals and coordinating needed services.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience along with Mental Health Professional (MHP) status. At minimum one year of experience in vocational rehabilitation is desirable, as well as some experience working with persons with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities and/or other disabilities. Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and meet organization’s insurability requirements. Employment with Bridgeway is conditional upon completion of all background checks.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off, Paid Leave for All Workers (PLAW)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short‑term, Long‑term Disability Insurance
• Holiday Pay, Bereavement Pay
• 401(k) Contribution and 401(k) Match
• Employee Assistance Program

Bridgeway is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the objective of Bridgeway to make Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) a reality for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, race, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability or unfavorable discharge from military services and to prevent sexual harassment in employment.