Supported Employment Specialist

Community Counseling Solutions; Pendleton (OR); Hybrid; USD 34,371 - 49,538; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401K match

Tuition reimbursement potential

Paid vacation and holidays

Work-from-home flexibility

Relocation benefit

Job summary

Community Counseling Solutions is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist in Pendleton, Oregon. This role involves engaging clients to achieve competitive employment and providing integral support such as job search activities and employer connections.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or relevant experience, with preferred bilingual skills in English/Spanish. Benefits encompass health and dental insurance, tuition reimbursement, and more, enhancing employee well-being and growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, or high school diploma with equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of recovery model and ability to coordinate services.
• Must pass criminal background checks and drug screenings.

Responsibilities

• Engage clients towards competitive employment.
• Assist clients in obtaining benefits information.
• Develop individualized employment plans with clients.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Client interviewing skills

Collaboration with mental health practitioners

Problem-solving approach

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or human services

High school diploma with equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

JOB CODE: C220
Supported Employment Specialist (SUD) – Location: Pendleton, Oregon (base location). Serves Umatilla County clients.

FLSA: .87 FTE non-exempt (expectation to work 34.8 hours per week). Supervisor: Regional Supported Employment Supervisor. Pay Grade: B08 ($24.95 - $35.96 hourly, depending on experience).

Company: Community Counseling Solutions. Benefits include a package with health, dental and vision insurance; 6% initial 401K match; tuition reimbursement potential; paid vacation; holidays; floating holiday and 2 mental health days; work-from-home flexibility after 1 year; relocation benefit up to $4,000; employee assistance and wellness benefits; long-term disability insurance.

Application: Apply directly at https://ccswebsite.org/employment/

Mission: CCS provides dynamic, progressive, and diverse supports to improve community well-being and seeks motivated employees to support its vision.

Responsibilities

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward competitive employment in community job settings.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid) and how employment affects them; refers to benefits counseling as needed.
• Assesses vocational functioning; educates and supports family members with client permission; discusses disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
• Conducts job development and job search activities aligned with client interests and the principles of supported employment.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to maintain employment.
• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week to learn business needs, describe supports, and highlight client strengths.
• Educates and supports employers as agreed, including negotiating accommodations and ongoing follow-up.
• Provides outreach to clients who disengage from service; uses varied methods to reach clients.
• Attends weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and coordinates vocational services with the team between meetings.
• Meets with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least monthly to coordinate services.
• Develops an individual employment plan with the client, mental health worker, and other providers; updates quarterly; creates job support plans with client and others.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community (e.g., client homes, workplaces, community locations).
• Provides supported education for clients interested in education to advance employment goals.
• Reports all abuse to appropriate legal authorities and completes required paperwork and safety plans as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in social work, psychology, or other human service field is required, or a high school diploma with 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.
• Ability to develop relationships with employers and learn about their business through multiple visits.
• Ability to investigate the local business community to identify employers and jobs.
• Strong client interviewing skills to learn preferences, experiences, hopes, and concerns regarding employment.
• Effective collaboration with mental health practitioners, VR counselors, family members, and others in the vocational unit.
• Strengths-based and recovery-oriented approach to client services.
• Keeps current with new work methods, skills, and technologies.
• Assists with finding resources such as work incentives planning, transportation, etc.
• Problem-solving approach for challenging situations; conducts work in community settings.
• Writes person-specific plans aligned with goals and documents requirements from funding sources (VR, Medicaid, etc.).
• Must be able to work independently and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the public and across agencies.
• Knowledge of recovery model and ability to coordinate services across agencies and community groups.
• Ability to use computers and standard software; handle confidential information in compliance with laws.

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. Monthly checks against OIG, GSA, and other lists; exclusions or sanctions may result in termination.

Pre-Hire Drug Screen

Required.

Personal Auto Insurance

Must hold a valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance for CCS business use; provide proof of at least $300,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage liability coverage; CCS insurance is secondary; CCS reserves right to deny use of CCS-owned vehicle.

Physical Demands

Regular use of computer and phone; may lift up to 10 pounds; occasional bending, kneeling, and reaching; travel between partner offices, homes, and community settings; participation in required meetings and trainings.

Work Environment

Office and community-based work; some remote work possible; occasional out-of-area travel and overnight stays; client homes and community environments may have variable accessibility.

CCS is an equal opportunity employer and a member of National Health Services Corporation.