Supported Education & Employment Specialist

Legacy Treatment Services Group; Northfield (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental & life ins.

403(b) employer match

PTO and holidays

Tuition reimbursement after 1 year

Job summary

Legacy Treatment Services Group is seeking an Employment Specialist to assess clients’ vocational functioning and support their education or employment goals within the IPS framework. You will conduct targeted job development, provide employer education, negotiate accommodations, and coordinate with the mental health team to integrate vocational services into treatment.

Responsibilities include developing individualized employment plans with client and family input, offering outreach to prevent

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; prior experience as a support education or employment specialist.
• Experience in CSC and supported employment services preferred.
• Knowledge of IPS model and evidence-based practice advisable.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients’ vocational functioning and support ongoing education or employment activities.
• Develop individual employment plans with input from mental health teams and families.
• Provide employer education and negotiate job accommodations.
• Conduct job development and job search activities tailored to clients’ interests.
• Provide timely outreach and follow-up to maintain engagement.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings to coordinate vocational services.

Skills

IPS model

Job development

Family education & support

Employer outreach

Team coordination

Individual employment plan

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Assesses clients' vocational functioning on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. Focuses on assisting participants to continue, resume, or adapt their academic or vocational activities successfully, using the IPS (individual placement and support) model. With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers. Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS (individual placement and support) supported employment. Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients and incorporating input from the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences. Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer. Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment. Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission. Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goalsHours:Full-time, some evening hours required.This is a 40 hour full time benefitted position which includes some evenings required:3.2 weeks of PTO in first yearMedical, vision, dental & life insurance benefits403(b) employee participation and employer match9 Agency-paid holidaysTuition Reimbursement after 1 year of employmentAbout Legacy Treatment Services:Legacy Treatment Services is a behavioral and mental health social services agency that provides services to over 20,000 adults, youth, and adolescents throughout 17 counties in New Jersey. Legacy’s mission is to change the behavioral health and social service outcomes for people of all ages, from surviving to thriving.The Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) and Community Integration program provides comprehensive services, including evidence-based pharmacological treatment, supported employment and education services, individual and group psychotherapy, case management, family therapy, and recovery support in the community and clinical settings. This program services individuals ages 15-35 who have an ESMI diagnosis.Education & Experience:Bachelor’s degree required: Must have prior experience as a support education or employment specialist.Legacy Treatment Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.#LTS456