Supported Employment Specialist

Pioneer Human Services; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Flexible spending

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

AD&D

Disability insurance

Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Employee recognition

Transit discount

EAP

Job summary

Pioneer Human Services is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist to deliver IPS-based supports for individuals facing barriers to employment. The role emphasizes person-centered planning, coaching, and collaboration with community partners to expand job opportunities.

The position requires an AA degree and behavioral health experience, with credentials to be obtained within a specified timeframe. A driver's license is required for occasional transport and a strong commitment to

Qualifications

• 2 years’ experience working with individuals who experience behavioral health challenges.
• Must obtain and maintain an Agency Affiliated Counselor credential (Must apply within 7 days of employment)
• Possess or be able to pursue/obtain Certified Peer Counselor Credential through WA DOH within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching, education, support, and skill-building related to employment goals.
• Operate from a person-centered lens honoring participant choice and self-determination.
• Ensure services are trauma-informed, strengths-based, and empower participants.
• Identify career targets through development of a career profile.
• Assist with applications, resume building, and interview preparation.
• Provide financial education and resources for wage decisions and benefits.
• Engage in rapid job search and employer outreach.
• Document outcomes and maintain data in compliance with requirements.
• Meet productivity standards as determined by leadership.
• Collaborate with providers and community partners to support goals.

Skills

Behavioral health experience

Driver's license

Agency Affiliated Counselor credential

Education

AA degree in related field

Job description

If you are looking for employment with a purpose where you can help improve the daily lives of the members of your community, then consider a career with Pioneer Human Services!

We are currently looking for a Supported Employment Specialist with a passion for human services. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization focused on a transformative path towards social change, creating pathways for rehabilitation, reintegration, and redemption.

Who we are – Our Mission
We empower justice-involved individuals to overcome adversity and reach their full potential.

For over 60 years, we have proudly serviced our clients with professionalism and empathy. We are a nationally recognized non-profit with 35+ locations across Washington state that provided a chance for change to over 9,500 individuals in 2024.

What We Offer

At Pioneer, our employees are important. That’s why we offer a Total Rewards package that includes compensation and benefits to support employees' health, security, and balance.

Compensation:

New hires for this position typically start between $23.54 and $29.42 hourly, depending on factors such as work location, experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, internal equity, and market conditions. While the full pay range is provided to support pay transparency, individual compensation will vary within the range based on these factors.

Benefits:

Eligible after 30 days of full-time employment (minimum of 30 hours/week):

• Medical
• Flexible spending
• Dental
• Vision

Additional coverage after 60 days:

• Life
• AD&D
• Disability

Other benefits:

• Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending
• Tuition assistance (100% for bachelor's, 50% for graduate programs)
• Retirement plan (3.5% annual compensation contribution, plus 3.5% match for 6% individual contribution)
• Employee recognition programs
• Public transportation discount
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

• Join Pioneer and be part of a team that values and invests in you.

What you’ll do

This position is designated to provide Supported Employment services to individuals who want to work and are experiencing barriers to employment. Services are intended to support successful community participation, reduce barriers, and increase long-term vocational and/or educational stability through skills training, cueing, modeling, advocacy, and connection to community supports as identified by the person-centered assessment, individualized goal plan, and career profile.

Supported Employment Specialists uphold fidelity to the IPS model while supporting a holistic, integrated care approach that improves outcomes in employment, health, and community transitions. Which includes pre and post-employment supports.

Primary/essential duties and responsibilities are but not limited to:

• Provide coaching, education, support, and skill-building related to individualized employment, education, or entrepreneurship goals, guided by the career profile and person-centered plan.
• Operate from a peer-informed, person-centered lens that honors participant choice, voice, and self-determination in all vocational decisions.
• Ensure services are strengths-based and trauma-informed, supporting dignity, respect, and empowerment through validation of lived experience.
• Identify career and occupational targets through development of a career profile that captures participant preferences, strengths, and barriers.
• Provide skill-building as it relates to filling out applications, resume building, and interview preparation, tailored to the participant’s career profile and goals.
• Provide financial education and resources to guide decisions about starting and maintaining work, wage changes, and benefits.
• Provide rapid job search, helping participants seek jobs directly as an alternative to extended pre-employment assessments.
• Offer individualized follow-along supports for as long as the participant desires.
• Demonstrate and model hope, conveying optimism that competitive employment and career growth are achievable.
• Provide job development by creating opportunities to build relationships with employers based on participant preferences.
• Utilize rapid, individualized and diverse job search strategies.
• Engage participants as equal partners in their employment journey, reducing power imbalances and promoting shared decision-making.
• Document outcomes as they relate to IPS Supported Employment fidelity and program guidelines.
• Maintain accurate data systems, records, and reports in compliance with state, federal, and organizational requirements.
• Complete all clinical documentation and paperwork “as soon as practicable’ after a service is provided, no later than 24-48 hours
• Gather information about the nature of job opportunities and assess whether they may be a good fit for participants.
• Meet regularly with employers to develop strong partnerships in job development and keep employer outreach tracker/log
• Maintain records of service provision, job search, employment applications, resumes, benefits counseling, and participant progress toward career goals.
• Ensure documentation and files meet auditing and program standards.
• Meet productivity standards as determined by program leadership.
• Act as a member of the multidisciplinary clinical team, ensuring employment services are integrated with behavioral health care.
• Collaborate with providers, treatment teams, and community partners to support participant employment goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers and workforce partners to expand job opportunities.
• Provide education to employers and community partners about Supported Employment practices and participant rights.
• Write clear, concise reports and correspondence.
• Promote and model teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect with coworkers, participants, and community partners.
• Engage with participants and employers using a person-centered, strengths-based approach that reduces stigma and power imbalances.

• Partner with department leadership and Quality Assurance teams to ensure program fidelity to IPS Supported Employment standards.
• Monitor employment service delivery for adherence to person-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based practices.
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards in all aspects of service delivery.
• Ensure required credentials remain in good standing and up to date with the WA Department of Health.
• Attend staff meetings and actively participate in planning, coordination, and delivery of quality services.
• Attend required trainings as assigned by department leadership and participate as a collaborative team member.
• Participate in regular supervision meetings.
• Obtain CPR & First Aid certification within 90 days of hire (or as soon as possible) and maintain throughout employment.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development opportunities as budget allows, with a goal of at least two trainings or conferences per year.

What you’ll bring

(Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, and Experience)

• AA degree in any related field (Human services, business administration, social work, public health, criminal justice, etc.)
• 2 years’ experience working with individuals who experience behavioral health challenges
• Must obtain and maintain an Agency Affiliated Counselor credential (Must apply within 7 days of employment
• Possess or be able to pursue/obtain Certified Peer Counselor Credential through WA DOH under 18.19 RCW of WA. within 30 days of employment
• May occasionally need to transport clients to appointments. Must have valid driver’s license, ability to meet the requirements of a Company Approved Driver including minimum personal vehicle insurance if driving a personal vehicle on Company business and acceptable driving record. May occasionally need to transport clients to appointments. Must have valid driver’s license, ability to meet the requirements of a Company Approved Driver including minimum personal vehicle insurance if driving a personal vehicle on Company business and acceptable driving record.

Preferably you’ll bring

• BA/BS Degree in any related field (Human services, business administration, social work, public health, criminal justice, etc.)

• Experience with state substance use residential treatment facility services
• Experience working with people from diverse cultures

EEO

Pioneer human services is an equal opportunity employer of minorities/women/individuals with disabilities/protected veterans and does not unlawfully discriminate under federal, state, or local laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. EEOC is the Law/EEO Policy Statement

Pioneer Human Services is a Drug-Free Company

Pioneer Human Services is a drug free company. This position has been deemed safety sensitive under RCW 49.44.240(3) and is subject to both pre-employment drug testing and drug testing during employment, to include testing for marijuana.