Employment Specialist

Priority Dispatch Corp.; New Britain (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Holidays

Wellbeing days

PTO

Life Insurance

EAP - counseling & wellness resources

Tuition discounts

CEUs & training

Job summary

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. is seeking a full-time Employment Specialist for the Center for Employment Development in New Britain, CT.

The role focuses on collaborating with clients to create psychiatric rehabilitation goals and connect them with employers to secure competitive, supportive work opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a mental health field preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience in employment services or vocational rehabilitation preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conducts employment assessments to determine market entry strategy and employer contacts.
• Provides career counseling, job coaching, and guidance tailored to client needs.
• Executes a minimum of six potential employer contacts per week.
• Assists clients in preparing for the workplace and securing employment consistent with recovery plans.

Skills

Career counseling

Job coaching

Employer outreach

Documentation

Communication

Education

B.S. degree in mental health

Tools

PMT training

First Aid

CPR

Job description

Why CMHA?Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is a private non-profit treatment provider headquartered in New Britain, with seven locations throughout the city and in Waterbury. We partner with clients and the community to promote recovery from mental illness and substance use, treating more than 7,500 adults and children each year. CMHA is Connecticut’s first fully Joint Commission accredited Behavioral Health Home and is a SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Visit cmhacc.org to learn more.Internal mobility and career pathing is a focus at CMHA with many employees growing from individual contributors to leaders.CMHA is looking to hire full-time, 1st shift, Employment Specialist for our Center for Employment Development/Vocational team. This position will be located at 233 Main St. New Britain, CT 06051. Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.Compensation Range: The salary range for this position starts at $20.00 per hourCompensation for each position is determined not only by years of relevant experience, education, and skills, but also by maintaining internal pay equity. CMHA also takes into consideration our benefits and paid time-off package to provide a well-rounded and competitive approach to the applicant’s overall compensation.Summary: Takes primary responsibility to collaborate with assigned caseload of clients with prolonged mental and/or co-occurring illnesses to develop psychiatric rehabilitation goals to assist them to live, work and be independent in the community. Acts as liaison and broker, advocating with employers and other employment services to meet the full range of client employment needs.Essential Responsibilities and Target Outcomes:•Conducts thorough employment assessment of client needs and desires in determining the appropriate strategy in entering of job market and establishing employer contacts.•Provides career counseling, job coaching, and direction according to client needs and circumstances.•Executes a minimum of six potential employer contacts per week.•Assists clients in preparing themselves for the workplace.•Assist the client in securing desired employment that supports their individual recovery plans.•Assures timely documentation is maintained in accordance with CMHA policies and procedures, including but not limited to progress notes, treatment plans, authorizations, program orientation, and consent to treat, activity logs, and monthly targeted case management notes. Maintains appropriate caseload as determined by CMHA and funder•Performs other related duties as assigned.Education: B.S. Degree in a mental health related field preferred.Credentials and Licenses: Valid Connecticut driver’s license, own a vehicle. Certified in PMT training, First Aid, and CPR. Participate in trainings on an annual basis, as assigned.Experience:• 1–2 years of experience working with individuals with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders preferred.•Experience providing employment services, job coaching, career counseling, or vocational rehabilitation preferred.•Experience building relationships with employers and supporting clients in obtaining and maintaining employment.•Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills with the ability to manage a community-based caseload.Competencies: Behavioral Skill Sets:•Ability to build strong relationships with potential employers, employment service providers.•Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with employers, clients, CMHA staff, and external providers.•Ability to ensure timely documentation is maintained in accordance with CMHA policies and procedures, including but not limited to progress notes, treatment plans, authorizations, program orientation, and consent to treat.•Ability to ensure the security and confidentiality of client information and records in a manner consistent with professional and CMHA codes of ethics.•Awareness/sensitivity to all types of issues related to client diversity.We care about our employees by offering benefits that strike a harmonious work-life balance. We also care about your future. CMHA offers:•Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance packages•403(b)-retirement savings plan with CMHA matching starting after 1 year of service•11 observed holidays•3 Wellbeing days off on a Friday throughout the year to extend a long weekend•2 CHMA/Personal days to use throughout the calendar year•Up to 24 days of PTO that increases with years of service•Paid agency closure between Christmas and New Year’s (except 24/7 programs) *must be approved annually•Company paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability•A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers counseling, coaching, and wellness resources for staff as well as members of their household•Higher education tuition discounts at participating schools through the Alliance’s academic partnerships•Free ongoing professional development opportunities and continuous access to Continuing Education Units (CEUs), featuring comprehensive training in Evidence-Based Practices, such as EMDR, DBT, and CBT.•Employee discounts for shopping, the New Britain YMCA, travel, and entertainment•Free employee subscriptions to the Wellable app•Annual Company Picnic•CMHA-sponsored Loan Reimbursement Program and Scholarship ProgramFree Student Loan Wellness for eligible employees and their family members access to:•Student loan consolidation and refinancing•Loan payoff projection dashboard•Coaching and support via chat, email, and phone•College cost calculator•College financial planning•3 NHSC-approved sites for federal student loan repaymentPublic Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Enhancement for eligible employees' access to:•Automated Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) form management for past and present employers•Automated reminders for annual (PSLF) recertifications to help you stay on track•Resources and ongoing communications that make PSLF understandable•The opportunity to receive the national average of $72,000.00 in forgivenessCommunity Mental Health Affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer except in the case of a bon fide occupation qualification or as otherwise permitted or required by law, does not discriminate of the basis of race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical condition including by not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familiar status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.Any individual needing assistance in completing an online application should contact CMHA's Human Resources Department at [e-mail].