Supported Employment Specialist

Centennial Mental Health Center, Inc.; Fort Morgan (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Centennial Mental Health Center, Inc. is seeking an IPS Employment Coach to assist disabled adults with community job development, placement, and post-employment follow-up. You will engage clients, educate families, and coordinate with DVR to determine eligibility for employment.

You will conduct job development, make weekly employer contacts, and support clients toward long-term goals, with a strong emphasis on community-based work and collaborative team involvement.

Qualifications

• Experience working with people with serious mental illness and employment services.

Responsibilities

• Engages clients and builds trust to facilitate competitive employment.
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• Assists clients with benefits information and impact of work.
• Guides clients toward long-term employment or education goals.
• Conducts job development and searches for individualized positions.
• Makes at least 6 employer contacts per week.
• Provides individualized supports for employment maintenance.
• Maintains a caseload and participates in yearly job starts.
• Spends 65%+ of work hours in the community.
• Educates families and gathers client input for supports.
• Prepares reports and coordinates with DVR for eligibility.
• Maintains clinical records and attends required meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Mental illness experience

Communication skills

Community resources knowledge

Cultural awareness

Computer skills

Teamwork

Travel ability

Boundaries management

Education

CARF accreditation

RSAS accreditation

Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Services

Supported employment certificate

Experience in job placement services

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Carries out the services of the Individualized Placement and Supports (IPS) Supported Employment program by assisting disabled adults with community job development, job placement and post-employment follow up.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engages clients and establishes trusting collaborative relationships directed towards the goal of competitive employment in community settings.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (i.e. SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how their benefits will be affected by employment.
• Helps clients think about long-term employment or education goals, work history, strengths and other factors that relate to a current vocational goal.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed towards positions that are individualized to the interests of the clients, following the principles and procedures of IPS Supported Employment.
• Conducts a minimum of 6 employer contacts per week to learn about businesses and employer needs.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Develops an individualized employment plan with the client and incorporating input from the mental health team.
• Is responsible to carry a case load of 15 clients after the first six months of employment.
• Is responsible for 8 job starts each year after the first year of employment.
• Spends at least 65% or more of total scheduled work hours in the community.
• Provides education and support to family members about work. Gathers input about skills, interests and strengths of the client and ideas for supports.
• Prepares timely reports and works cooperatively with the Division of Vocation Rehabilitation (DVR) to determine eligibility for employment.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical records consistent with Center standards.
• Participates in meetings, in-services and supervisory sessions as required.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION

An individual performing the job coaching possesses one or more of the following:

• CARF accreditation in the area of Community Employment Services; or,
• RSAS accreditation
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Rehabilitation Services, Rehabilitation Counseling, special education, or a closely related field; or,
• Nationally recognized supported employment training certificate or certification
• One year or more of full-time work experience providing satisfactory job placement services

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS

• Experience working with people with serious mental illness, providing employment services and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
• Having the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries, identify strengths, and support the client right to make independent decisions when possible.
• Knowledge of community resources and disability programs/resources.
• Knowledge of cultural issues that may have a bearing on service provision.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer literacy to include basic skills in e-mail communication and word processing.
• Ability to work as an effective team member is essential.
• Ability to travel within the Center's service area or to other locations as needed.