Position Summary:

IPS Employment Specialist is responsible for the provision of effective structured intervention techniques that would ultimately empower members in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment in the real employment world.

Role and Responsibilities

• Develop jobs that are compatible with member’s interests and abilities.
• Identify and maintain a list of employment providers and employers in the geographic area.
• Determine employment providers’ receptivity to the presence of an Employment Specialist at the work site.
• Conduct task analysis and job analysis.
• Conduct assessments in a community-based rather than facility-based setting. 
• Assess the member’s ability to function in both the work environment and community of residence.
• Job development.
• When a compatible job match is made between the employer and the member, the Employment Specialist will learn about the specific job duties by spending as much time as necessary at the job site and preparing detailed job and task analysis, to serve as basis for developing training strategies.
• Once the member begins the job, the Employment Specialist will use structured training techniques for teaching the following:
  1. Job performance skills such as sequence, quality and quantity.
  2. Job related skills such as grooming, socializing with co-workers, accepting supervision and managing one’s paycheck.

• Ensure success of every job placement by providing advocacy at the workplace, in the member’s residence or community and with external provider agencies i.e. Department of Rehabilitation Service, Social Security Administration etc.
• Assist member in travel training by reinforcing travel skills.
• Continually evaluate and monitor the member’s performance and progress.
• Begin fading as the member becomes more proficient and requires less employment training intervention.
• Ensure that all progress notes and other service documents are promptly recorded in agency’s electronic system (Carelogic), in accordance with deadlines.
• Work to minimize the number of unsuccessful trainees in the program.
• Ensure that all case records are kept up-to-date and are in compliance with agency and funding guidelines.
• Promptly develop and effectively implement member’s treatment plan, mental health assessment, employment training plan as well as all applicable monthly and quarterly reviews.
• Provide services such as home visit, work site visit, case management, community support, crisis intervention, and monitoring to each member as stipulated on his/her individual treatment plan.
• Collaborate with primary counselors, collateral, employers and other providers (internal & external) involved in members’ treatment.

• Other duties as assigned.
• This job description reflects the assignment of some essential functions of the job; however nothing restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Staff must possess a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in a mental health related discipline with at least three years of work experience with the mentally challenged population.
• Service oriented, empathetic and able to interact and develop rapport with a diversified population
• Must pass mandatory background checks which may include pre-screenings and pre-employment drug screen

Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have close visual acuity, regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, speak and listen.   Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.  The work environment can be one of high stress and fast pace. The noise level can be often moderate to loud.

affirmative action/Equal opportunity employer

Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other lawfully protected status.