Starting Wage: $16.33/hr (DOE)

Do you believe recovery for people with mental illness is possible and you believe in the power of community? Do you enjoy working as part of a team as well as independently? Are you a positive individual with the ability to motivate people? Do you excel with organization, written and verbal communication skills? If you have a high tolerance for ambiguity, are skilled at creating and implementing structure, as well as being a self-starter and creative thinker, we have a place for you. This is a full-time, benefited position, working Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs a variety of professional duties in service to mentally ill adults to help them obtain competitive employment of their choice.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Direct Supervision: Provided by the Program Manager, or Employment Team Leader. Supervision includes task assignment, work performance, job expectations and all day-to-day activities.

Functional Supervision: Provided by the Program Manager. Supervision includes training in areas of targeted case management, skills development, behavior management, respite care, personal services, psycho educational services, supportive living and other auxiliary service areas as needed to meet consumer and program needs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

· Exemplifies the organizational values of Performance, Innovation, and Excellence (PIE).

· Manages work time effectively by prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment, while dealing with clients needs, staff support, and agency demands.

· Meets target productivity standards.

· Establishes and maintains open communications with all team members and supports team's decisions.

· Communicates with other staff and supervisor to assure accurate recording of client information in the electronic record system.

· Completes all required training, including E-learning assignments within assigned timeframes.

· Participates in weekly supervision, coaching or consultation as required by Center policy.

· Attends and actively participates in all assigned meetings, such as weekly staff meetings, team meeting, committee meetings and community meetings.

· Participates in the development of Integrated Recovery Plan goals and objectives as directed by each client's Primary Service Coordinator. Works with clients and the clinical team to facilitate accomplishment of each client's treatment goals and objectives.

· Participates in client progress evaluations during Team meetings, reflecting observed progress of clients and verbal feedback from clients related to employment goals.

· Works to build and maintains knowledge of employment related community resources.

· Assures facilities are clean and safe for clients and other team members.

Essential Job Functions

· Employment Specialists carry out all phases of employment service, including: intake, engagement, vocational assessment, job placement, job coaching, follow-along supports and assertive engagement, all aimed at assisting clients in obtaining competitive employment in a range of different types of jobs and a variety of different employers. Activities will include:

o Working closely with and has frequent contacts with Vocational Rehabilitation for the purpose of discussing shared clients and identifying potential referrals.

o Providing clients with accurate information and assist with evaluating their choices to make an informed decision regarding what is revealed to the employer about having a disability.

o Developing an individualized job search plan which is updated with information from the vocational assessment and job/educational experiences.

o Building relationships with employers through multiple visits in person that are planned to learn the needs of the employer, convey what the SE program offers to the employer and describe client strengths that are a good match for the employer. At least 6 face-to-face employer contacts are made per week on behalf of clients looking for work, aimed at making a good job match based on clients' preferences.

o Providing follow-along supports based on the job, client preferences, work history, needs, etc. Supports are provided to clients and employers at client's request to help with successful stable employment and career development; such as assistance with education, a more desirable job, or more preferred job duties.

o Initiating assertive engagement and outreach contacts along with other members of the treatment team, including reaching out to clients when appointments are missed, making multiple home/community visits, coordinating visits with integrated team members and connecting with family, when applicable.

o Covering other Employment Specialists caseloads when needed.

· Employment Specialists are expected to skillfully work within the following service categories:

o Psychoeducation, which includes many the activities listed above which are specific to developing client's vocational adequacy skills, including: job finding, employment applications interviewing, understanding benefits, understanding job duties and work processes, working with colleagues and supervisors, advocating for self on the job, working on advancement etc. The activities can be provided in the context of interviewing, one-on-one and group skills training, job coaching, correspondence, and mediating between parties, to name a few.

o Targeted Case Management (TCM) to supported employment clients when appropriate, assuring that the TCM services provided meet the criteria of either Assessing TCM needs, Coordinating and Linking to services or Monitoring progress in meeting TCM objectives. (Must be certified as a case manager)

o Personal Services, to supported employment clients when appropriate, assuring that the only Personal Services provided are those the client or Natural and Informal supports cannot provide themselves. Efforts are made to help the client become independent of the agency providing personal services.

o Skills Development Services (SDS) to clients when appropriate, targeting specific life skill objectives (not vocational skills -see Psychoeducation), using a curriculum to guide the teaching of the skills and documenting progress towards the specific objectives. (Must be supervised by a SSW license or higher.)

o Behavior Management (Requires a minimum of an SSW license to perform) teaching proven techniques for addressing specific behavioral objectives, such as anger management techniques to improve anger control.

o Transports clients to and from appointments, completing all necessary forms before and after transporting.

· Employment Specialists:

o Complete all necessary paperwork/documentation including vocational and TCM assessments, progress notes, program logs, correspondence, and other required documentation in an accurate, thorough, and timely manner according to Center mandates.

o Use non-violent crisis intervention to diffuse client escalations.

o Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education and Experience

A. High School Diploma or GED; Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or a related field preferred,

AND

B. Three months (3 mo.) working with mentally ill adults or some other social service program

OR

C. Equivalent combination or education and related experience.

2. Able to pass background check

3. Valid motor vehicle driver's license (equivalent to a State of Utah Class D)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A. Some knowledge of

· mental illness and substance use disorders and treatment programs

· community and regional resources engaged in social problem solving; personal financial management, employment support

· individual and group counseling skills

· abnormal psychology

· crisis intervention methods

· fiscal accountability requirements related to public funds and contract compliance.

B. Ability to

· develop effective professional working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, clients, employers and the public

· communicate effectively, verbally and in writing

· work independently and manage work assignments in a high interpersonal contact environment

· to maintain appropriate professional boundaries

· follow ethical guidelines and Center/Program policies, procedures, and protocols

· assess and prioritize employment needs and personal goals

· write and implement an employment plan

· assist consumers in developing a range of social supports in the community

· advocate for consumer rights

· access consumer services

· link consumers with funding agencies and service providers

C. Demonstrates skills in:

· establishing priorities

· working independently, and proceeding with objectives without direct supervision when appropriate; creatively handling and resolving problems

· time management practices encompassing all job duties, such as scheduled appointments, meeting obligations and paperwork

· conflict resolution.

D. Able to work with community businesses to facilitate employment opportunities for clients. Has a basic understanding of Social Security benefits as it relates to employment, including ticket-to-work and employment networks and other work incentives.

E. Must be proficient in use of computer and have keyboarding skills in order to enter and retrieve client's electronic records. General knowledge of Microsoft office and Google Suite preferred.

Special Qualifications

A. Certified or ability to be certified by the State of Utah as a Case Manager

B. Certified or ability to be certified as a peer support specialist preferred

C. CPR/First Aid certification (within 30-days and upon expiration)

D. Food Handlers Permit (when required)

E. Certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (within 30-days and annually thereafter)

F. Working schedules must be flexible to meet client needs. Staff must be willing to work a variety of schedules to accommodate various needs of client and program.

G. Physically able to lift up to 40 lbs. Climb stairs, transport clients, etc.