Supported Employment Specialist

Community Counseling Solutions; Kentucky; On-site; USD 34,371 - 49,538; Part time

Job summary

Community Counseling Solutions is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist (SUD) to deliver culturally competent services within the IPS Supported Employment program in Pendleton, Oregon. The role involves engaging clients to help them secure and maintain employment, assisting with benefits counseling, and collaborating with employers.

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, with a focus on building relationships and effectively navigating community resources. Pay ranges from $24.95 to $35.96 hourly based on experience.

Qualifications

• Education in social work, psychology, or a related field is required.
• Experience in a similar position or field preferred.
• Must pass all criminal background check requirements.

Responsibilities

• Engage clients to help them achieve competitive employment.
• Assist clients with understanding their benefits and making decisions about employment.
• Conduct job development and search activities in the community.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Client interviewing skills

Relationship building with employers

Problem-solving

Strengths-based approach

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field

High school diploma with three years relevant experience

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Job Code: C220

Job Title: Supported Employment Specialist (SUD)

Location: Pendleton, Oregon (base); serves Umatilla County clients.

Employment Type: .87 FTE non‑exempt (34.8 hours/week)

Supervisor: Regional Supported Employment Supervisor

Pay Grade: B08 ($24.95 - $35.96 hourly, depending on experience)

Description

Provides culturally competent services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting clients obtain and maintain employment consistent with their vocational goals. The position works closely with community partners and is professional in all aspects of service delivery. Additionally, this position assists administration in meeting the behavioral health needs of the community.

Supervision

Supervision Received: Regional Supported Employment Supervisor

Supervision Exercised: This position does not supervise other employees.

Responsibilities

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers without psychiatric challenges.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling as needed.
• Assesses clients’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. 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 the caseload, following the principles and procedures of supported employment.
• Provides individualized follow‑along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business and describe supports offered by the program and client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow‑along contact with the employer.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Attends weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Has face‑to‑face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
• Develops an individual employment plan with the client, mental health worker, other treatment team providers and updates it quarterly. Develops job support plans with the client using input from the client, mental health workers, family members, past employment experiences and information about current job.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, library, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
• Reports all abuse to the appropriate legal office, completes all necessary paperwork and investigations, and develops safety plans as required.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in social work, psychology, or other human service related field is required, or a high school diploma and three years of equivalent training and work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Develops relationships with employers by learning about their business, hiring practices, hiring preferences, etc. over multiple visits.
• Investigates the local business community in order to learn about different employers and types of jobs available.
• Uses good client interviewing skills to learn about individual preferences, past experiences, hopes, and concerns regarding employment.
• Effectively collaborates with mental health practitioners, VR counselors, family members and other members of the vocational unit.
• Utilizes a strengths‑based approach when serving clients by recognizing each person’s skills, experiences, personal values that support employment.
• Employs a recovery‑based orientation, believing that people learn from their experiences, develop new skills, and achieve life goals over time.
• Keeps current with, and applies, new work methods, skills and technologies to complete work.
• Assists with finding and accessing resources such as work incentives planning, local schools, available transportation, etc.
• Uses a problem‑solving approach when faced with challenging or difficult situations.
• Conducts work in community settings.
• Assists individuals to analyze each work experience for lessons learned, using input from employers, the worker, mental health practitioners, VR counselors, family members or others.
• Writes person‑specific plans that are congruent with each person’s goals and includes specific steps that will be taken to meet those goals.
• Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including VR, Medicaid, and others.
• Possesses, or can acquire, knowledge of symptoms and challenges faced by people with mental illness and addictions. Also possesses knowledge about relevant OARs.
• Can effectively communicate both verbally and in writing and works independently, completing all designated tasks or assignments in a thorough and timely manner.
• Has skills to work professionally with the public and coordinate services across various agencies and community groups.
• Has knowledge of, or can acquire, knowledge about the recovery model.
• Can represent the interest of the customer and the agency favorably in the community.
• Works well with teams and other groups of individuals.
• Is computer literate, can type and utilize word processing and other software programs/systems.
• Handles highly confidential information and adheres to client confidentiality laws and rules.

Criminal Background Checks

Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380.

In addition to a pre‑employment background check, each employee, volunteer and contractor shall be checked monthly against the OIG and GSA exclusion lists as well as other federal and state agency lists. If an employee, volunteer or contractor is excluded or sanctioned, it will be the cause for immediate termination of employment, volunteering, or contract.

Pre Hire Drug Screen Required

Personal Auto Insurance

Must hold a valid driver’s license as well as personal auto insurance for privately owned vehicles used for CCS business such as client service purposes, travel between business offices and the community, to attend required meetings and trainings.

Must show proof of $300,000 or more liability coverage for bodily injury and $100,000 or more liability coverage for property damage, and maintain said coverage for the duration of employment at CCS.

The employee’s insurance is primary with CCS insurance being secondary. CCS reserves the right to deny any employee the use of a vehicle owned by CCS.

Physical Demands

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee regularly uses office automation, including computer and phone system that requires fine manipulation, grasping, typing, and reaching. Sitting for several hours reviewing reports and other written materials, and talking on phone. The position may occasionally require lifting up to ten (10) pounds. The incumbent will occasionally need to reach, bend, kneel, and squat when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.

The employee must be able to participate in vehicle travel between partner offices, individual homes, in the community, and attend required meetings and/or trainings.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment as well as in the community. At times, work may be conducted from home via phone and video services. The noise level in the office is usually moderate, but occasionally one may be exposed to loud noises. The noise level in the community, including homes of customers, is often difficult to predict. Occasional out‑of‑area travel and overnight stays may be required for attendance at meetings and training.

Employees also work in community and client homes. Handicap access may not be available at all places. In some situations employees may need to respond to environments where a client is in crisis. These environments may be uneven terrain and difficult to predict.

This position exposes the employee to everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of such places as an office.

COMMUNITY COUSENLING SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER