Employment Specialist

Newport Mental Health; Middletown (RI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO to start

Up to 11 paid holidays

Paid flex holiday

Paid personal days

Paid sick time

$3,000 bilingual pay incentive

Medical, dental, vision

FSA & Dependent Care Accounts

403(b) retirement plan

Company-paid life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness resources

Job summary

Newport Mental Health seeks an Employment Specialist to provide IPS-based vocational rehabilitation, helping clients secure competitive employment and educational opportunities. You will conduct career assessments, develop plans, and coordinate with treatment teams to ensure daily structure and progress.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in human services (SEP preferred), strong communication, and a valid driver’s license. Prior IPS/EBP knowledge and six months’ experience are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.
• SEP certification preferred.
• Minimum of six months’ experience.
• Knowledge of IPS Model and EBPs preferred.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery planning, vocational assessment, skills training, and job placement.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with clients to identify employment and educational goals based on interests and strengths.
• Help clients identify and overcome barriers to competitive employment or education.
• Provide ongoing support for career exploration, job development, and job retention.
• Network with employers and provide on-the-job supports as needed.
• Conduct vocational evaluations, assessments, and career profiles.
• Assist clients in community integration and expanding social networks.
• Coordinate with families and supports as part of recovery plans.
• Co-lead vocational groups with peers and liaise with community agencies.

Skills

Communication

IPS Model knowledge

Vocational assessment

Job placement

Driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

SEP certification preferred

Job description

Description

Description: Employment Specialist

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: $52,000-$63,000

Schedule: 37.5 hours/week | Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

WHY JOIN NEWPORT MENTAL HEALTH?

At Newport Mental Health, we invest in our employees by offering competitive pay, exceptional time-off benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive, mission-driven culture.

What We Offer…

• 3 weeks of paid time off (PTO) to start, with additional PTO for Director-level roles
• Up to 11 paid holidays each year
• 1 paid Flex Holiday each year
• Separate paid personal days
• Separate paid sick time
• $3,000 annual bilingual pay incentive
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Accounts
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

*Benefits and eligibility vary by position, scheduled hours, and employment status; additional criteria may apply to certain benefits and incentives.

WHO WE ARE…

Newport Mental Health (NMH) is a progressive high-energy organization that uses state of the art person-centered recovery approach to help individuals recover from mental illness and substance use disorders. NMH extends its trauma informed evidence-based services to children, adolescents, families, and adults. Our services vary from outreach, specialized program, mental health, school-based therapy, substance use therapy, community-based therapy, and outpatient clinic.

For more information visit our website: www.newportmentalhealth.org

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR…

Mission- Aligned: You are excited to be a part of Newport Mental Health’s mission to improve the lives of our clients living and working in Newport County by providing the highest quality of care.

Ally: You intentionally foster belonging, personal growth, and empowerment for all. You are a strong advocate for the BIPOC, LQBTQIA+, Woman, Veteran, and other underrepresented communities.

Solution Orientated: You are driven to think of different approaches to narrow the gap which leads to positive and effective changes.

Time Management: You are a conscious planner and a thoughtful decision maker who adheres to deadlines.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING (ESSENTIAL DUTIES) …

This position provides vocational rehabilitation services for designated clients that embraces the IPS model and leads to competitive job placement, educational placement, and meaningful and daily structure.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with clients on identifying and pursuing employment and educational goals that draw upon their interests, strengths, skills and abilities.
• Assist clients with identifying and overcoming barriers that have impacted their ability to successfully gain or maintain competitive employment/educational pursuits.
• Provide on-going supports around career exploration, job development and job retention.
• Network, communicate and provide on the job supports when needed with employers.
• Conduct vocational evaluations, assessments, and career profiles.
• Assist clients with involvement in community connections and activities to expand social networks and community integration.
• Work with clients on their identified goals as outlined in their recovery plans.
• Work with families and identified supports that can be part of the client’s recovery plan.
• Co-Lead vocational groups with Peer
• Assist in the development and securing of new positions through liaison activities with the Office of Rehabilitation Services and community employers.
• Assist with providing job coaching within our transitional and supported employment program with the agency.
• Work collaboratively with the treatment teams on providing necessary case management support.

Requirements

WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU…

• Bachelor’s degree in human services field & SEP certification preferred.
• Minimum of six months’ experience required.
• Knowledge of the IPS Model and Evidence Based Practices preferred.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery treatment planning, vocational assessment, skills training and job placement and development.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to professionally communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of individuals.
• Caring and empathetic, with the desire to help others in need.
• Self-motivated and independent, with the ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Valid Driver’s License with reliable transportation.

Newport Mental Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.