Employment Specialist

Archdiocese of St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community service organization is seeking an Employment Specialist to empower individuals facing severe mental illness and substance use challenges. This role involves providing job coaching, interview preparation, and coordination of care to help clients secure competitive employment. You will work collaboratively within a dedicated team, conducting assessments, managing treatment plans, and providing direct clinical services. With core hours from Monday to Friday, this position offers a supportive environment where you can make a significant impact on the lives of those in need. If you are passionate about helping others and have a background in counseling, this opportunity could be the perfect fit for you.

Benefits

Generous parental leave policies

Flexible working arrangements

Group life insurance

Permanent health insurance

Support for child care or elder care

Qualifications

• Experience in counseling and case management preferred.
• Knowledge of community agencies and client confidentiality policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of clients' needs and manage treatment plans.
• Assist clients in securing competitive employment opportunities.
• Provide crisis intervention and maintain client documentation.

Skills

Understanding of mental illness

Crisis intervention expertise

Self-motivated

Respect for clients and staff

Cultural sensitivity

Teamwork ability

Valid auto insurance

Reliable transportation

Education

Experience in counseling

Knowledge of community agencies

Understanding of client confidentiality policies

Job description

St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability.

Working collaboratively with individuals, businesses, government and other service providers, St. Patrick Center will end chronic homelessness in the St. Louis region through Housing First, an evidence-based practice that tells us to remove barriers, do intake and assessment early, move people into housing and offer them support to achieve their goals.

Job Summary

St. Patrick Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is hiring an Employment Specialist to join the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT). The Employment Specialist is dedicated to supporting individuals facing severe mental illness and chemical dependences. The specialist provides essential job coaching, interview preparation, and coordination of care to empower clients in securing competitive employment opportunities. The core working hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The salary range for this position is between $40,000 and $50,000 a year.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive, ongoing assessments of program clients’ mental illness, physical health, housing status and other relevant needs.
• Manage primary case load by completing treatment plans, DLA-20’s, and coordinating care through weekly schedules.
• Assist clients in seeking competitive employment in the community.
• Coach clients with job interview skills and assist with paperwork.
• Assist clients with making and keeping appointments and other tasks required through the client recovery process.
• Provide direct clinical services to clients on individual and group basis in office and community settings, making appropriate changes in treatment plans to ensure client’s ability to cope with internal and external stresses.
• Refer clients to appropriate community agencies, assisting clients when needed.
• Act as liaison and consult with community agencies and program clients to maintain coordination in treatment process.
• Collaborate with other members of the ACT team during daily and weekly staff meetings.
• Provide on-call crisis intervention in coordination with other ACT team members, covering nighttime hours and weekends.
• Maintain St. Patrick Center client tracking system and client files, documenting client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity within 24-hour timeframe required by DMH and BJC/administrative agent.
• Responsible for agency policy regarding work hours, building security and all written personnel standards.
• Train other team members about supported employment services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Understanding of mental illness and substance use required.
• Counseling and crisis intervention expertise.
• Self-motivated.
• Respect for clients and staff.
• Sensitive to cultural diversity.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere.
• Ability to walk multiple flights of stairs.

Skills Required for Success in Job

• Valid and current auto insurance required.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Work a minimum of 37.5 hours a week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in counseling and case management preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of community agencies preferred.
• Knowledge of federal, state and agency policies of client confidentiality preferred.

St. Patrick Center does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. St. Patrick Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.

Pre-Employment Screening

All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include criminal background check and other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, and an employment and education or licensure/certification verification. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Our Mission

To bring the healing, help, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need with a compassionate, caring presence.

Transforming lives and working to create a community where everyone has access to sustainable housing, employment, and healthcare.

As a part of the Catholic Charities family, you’ll have the resources to care for those closest to you. Options include generous parental leave policies, flexible working arrangements, group life insurance, permanent health insurance, and dedicated support to help you find the right child care or elder care.