Employment Specialist (IPS) - Community Support Program

The Bridge; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bridge is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist in New York, NY. This full-time, field-based role focuses on empowering consumers to achieve meaningful employment using the IPS model, assessing preferences, providing benefits counseling, and connecting clients to job opportunities.

You'll conduct 65% of services in the community — visits to residences, shelters, and other settings — while collaborating with ACT teams and local employers to build sustainable employment solutions for adults

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3+ years direct service experience with serious mental illness in community-based setting; 2+ years in Employment Services.
• High degree of computer literacy including EHR.
• Experience with recovery-oriented, evidence-based practice.
• IPS model experience highly desired.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Use IPS model to identify consumers with vocational goals and assess readiness.
• Help consumers find and maintain employment; provide benefits counseling.
• Develop relationships with local employers for job development.
• Collaborate with consumers' support networks to promote progress.
• Use motivational interviewing, recovery, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Complete required training by OMH and The Bridge.
• Deliver at least 65% of services in the community, including client visits.
• Attend daily team meetings to discuss clinical needs and progress.
• Document per NYS OMH, NYC DOHMH, and Medicaid guidelines.

Skills

IPS model

Computer literacy

Recovery-oriented practice

Bilingual Spanish

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

EHR software

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: New York, NY 10026

Position Type: Full-Time

Education Level: BA/BS

Salary Range: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00

Hourly Job Shift: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.

Scope of Position

Join our Team as a IPS Employment Specialist, where you'll play a pivotal role in empowering consumers to achieve meaningful employment. You'll assess employment preferences, provide benefits counseling, and support job readiness through coaching and resource connections. Networking with local employers and maintaining client relationships will be key, with at least 65% of services delivered in the community—conducting visits in residences, shelters, and other community settings. This field-based position covers 3 ACT teams in either the Bronx or Manhattan, offering a dynamic opportunity to impact lives through sustainable employment solutions.

Essential Position Functions

• Use the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model to identify consumers who have a vocational goal, assess consumers' vocational preferences and readiness, support consumers in finding and maintaining employment, provide benefits counseling;
• Develop networks and relationships with local employers for job development;
• Collaborate with consumers' support networks as needed to promote progress and success in their vocational goals.
• Use motivational interviewing, recovery, and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
• Complete foundational and ongoing training as required by the Office of Mental Health and The Bridge.
• Provide at least 65% percent of services in the community, including but not limited to conducting client visits in their residences, shelters, and community locations while networking with local employers for job development.
• Attend and participate in daily team meetings with ACT team members to discuss clients' clinical and case management issues and needs.
• Complete documentation required by the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) licensing guidelines, NYS Medicaid billing guidelines (when services are Medicaid reimbursable) as well as per The Bridge ACT Policy and Procedures.
• Utilize best and evidence-based approaches to treatment consistent with The Bridge's' organizational culture; health/mental health integration, rehabilitation, and recovery, and understanding the impact of trauma on treatment engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 3 years' experience providing direct services to individuals with a serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and co-morbid medical conditions in a community-based setting with at least 2 years of experience providing Employment Services.
• High degree of computer literacy is necessary including competence with EHR.
• Demonstrated expertise in recovery-oriented, evidenced-based practice.
• Experience with the IPS model is highly desired.
• Highly organized and self-motivated.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated experience with diverse adults receiving mental health treatment, including delivery of treatment to individuals with serious mental illness, functional impairments, and psychosocial needs (homelessness, justice involvement, poverty, unemployment)
• Bilingual Spanish is highly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmatic Action / Equal Opportunity Employer