Individual Placement Specialist

Westchester Medical Center Health Network; Town of Mount Pleasant (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Westchester Medical Center Health Network in New York State is seeking an Individual Placement Specialist to help clients obtain and maintain employment aligned with their goals. The role focuses on engaging employers in the community and building job opportunities, with most services delivered in the community.

You will conduct employer contacts, assess vocational preferences, and support clients through the job search and placement process, using IPS principles and collaborative teamwork.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years job-related experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Experience with individuals with severe mental illness and employment services is preferred.
• Ability to work as an effective team member.

Responsibilities

• Use IPS model to identify consumers with vocational goals and assist in finding/maintaining employment.
• Conduct a minimum of six in-person employer contacts per week in the community.
• Engage with employers to identify opportunities and facilitate interviews.
• Develop trusting relationships with employers and clients toward competitive community employment.
• Provide benefits counseling and help clients understand information about benefits (e.g., Medicaid).
• Complete foundational and ongoing training as required by the Office of Mental Health and other agencies.

Skills

Exceptional people skills

Strong organizational and written/oral

Computer skills

Education

High School or equivalent

Associates Degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

The Individual Placement Specialist provides opportunities and assistance for clients to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. An IPS will engage employers in the communities in which our clients live, providing a connection for clients looking for employment. Networking with local employers and maintaining client relationships will be key, with at least 65% of services delivered in the community. The IPS will follow the IPS Principles to meet with clients to help understand what they are looking for in a prospective employer as well as help prepare them for vocation. Excepti.onal communication skills allow an Individual Placement Specialist to contact prospective employers on clients' behalf, and support and guide the jobseeker as they seek work and maintain employment.

Responsibilities

• Use the Individual 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, providing benefits counseling.
• Conducts a minimum of six in-person employer contacts per week in the community. The aim of these visits to businesses is to develop relationships with managers/owners who have hiring responsibilities. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe job seeker strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Engages with employers to identify opportunities and facilitate interviews with clients.
• Working with both employers and clients to develop trusting and collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of finding competitive employment in a community job setting.
• Conducts job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her/their caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment. Includes visiting businesses with jobseekers to follow up on job applications and to talk to managers/business owners.
• Complete foundational and ongoing training as required by the Office of Mental Health and other agencies.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community, meeting with potential employers and identifying sources of potential employment opportunities.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., 551, Medicaid, etc.) and how they may be affected by employment.
• Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with individuals. Incorporates input from a mental health treatment team and natural support, with permission.

Qualifications/Requirements

Experience

• Two (2) years job-related experience.
• Exceptional people skills and the ability to build strong relationships with individuals from any background.
• Excellent organization, communication and computer skills.
• Experience working with people with severe mental illness, experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred. Ability to work as an effective team member is essential.

Education

High School or equivalent required. Associates Degree preferred.

Other

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.