Supported Employment Specialist

Pioneer Human Services; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Dependent Care FSA

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Front-Loaded Tuition Assistance

Retirement Plan

Employee recognition programs

Public transportation discounts

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Pioneer Human Services is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist to help individuals with barriers to employment achieve community participation and long-term stability. You will provide coaching, resume help, job search support, and connections to community resources in a person-centered IPS framework.

You will work to build relationships with employers, coordinate with treatment teams, and document outcomes while ensuring compliance with program standards and timeframes.

Qualifications

• Coaching and support for individuals seeking employment.
• Person-centered and trauma-informed approach in vocational services.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching, education, support, and skill-building related to employment goals.
• Operate from a person-centered lens that honors participant choice and self-determination.
• Ensure services are strengths-based and trauma-informed, with dignity and empowerment.
• Develop a career profile to capture preferences, strengths, and barriers.
• Help with applications, resumes, and interview preparation.
• Provide financial education and guidance on wages and benefits.
• Conduct rapid job search and provide ongoing follow-up supports.
• Maintain records and document outcomes per program standards.
• Collaborate with employers and treatment teams to support employment goals.

Skills

Coaching skills

Person-centered approach

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 $21.44 and $26.80 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 That Invest in You:

At Pioneer, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and continued growth.

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Financial Protection

• Employer-provided life insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Disability coverage

Invest in Your Future

• Front-Loaded Tuition Assistance
• Retirement Plan
• Employee recognition programs
• Public transportation discounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Join Pioneer and build more than a career.

Be part of a team that supports your well-being, recognizes your contributions, and invests in your future.

Benefit eligibility, coverage, contributions, and program provisions are subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans and policies.

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