Employment Specialist

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

Job summary

An innovative organization is seeking an Employment Specialist to support individuals facing severe mental health challenges. In this impactful role, you will provide treatment, rehabilitation, and advocacy while helping clients secure competitive employment. Your expertise will guide clients through the recovery process, equipping them with essential job skills and fostering their independence. Join a dedicated team committed to transforming lives and creating sustainable pathways to housing and employment. This position offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a real difference in the community while working in a supportive environment focused on compassion and care.

Benefits

Generous parental leave policies

Flexible working arrangements

Group life insurance

Permanent health insurance

Support for child care or elder care

Qualifications

• Understanding of mental illness and substance use is essential.
• Counseling and crisis intervention expertise required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of clients’ needs and manage treatment plans.
• Assist clients in seeking competitive employment and provide coaching.
• Provide direct clinical services and maintain client tracking system.

Skills

Counseling expertise

Crisis intervention skills

Understanding of mental illness

Cultural sensitivity

Team collaboration

Reliable transportation

Auto insurance

Education

Degree in social work or related field

Job description

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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 currently seeking an Employment Specialist for our Assertive Community Treatment program. The specialist will be responsible for providing treatment, rehabilitation, advocacy, and case management services to program clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses or chemical dependency challenges. This role will involve assisting clients in finding competitive employment in the community, coaching clients on job interview skills, assisting with paperwork, and other related duties. Additionally, the Employment Specialist will provide direct clinical services to clients on an individual and group basis in both office and community settings. This position requires working Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The salary ranges 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, & 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 & program clients to maintain coordination in the 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 SPC 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 & all written personnel standards.
• Train team members on supported employment services.

Knowledge and Experience 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, a drug screen, and an employment and education or licensure/certification verification. Various positions will require 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.