Supported Employment Specialist

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.
• Assists clients in obtaining individualized information about how entitlements (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) will be affected by employment so clients can make decisions about employment opportunities.
• Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed. Assesses clients' vocational skills and preferences on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
• With the client's permission, provides information and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of mental health status to employers. Helps clients learn about different jobs/careers by assisting with meetings with workers/managers to ask about positions that interest clients, meetings with academic advisors, observing workers (one day or less in duration), and job fairs to speak with employers about different types of jobs.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment. Conducts an average of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program, and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from family members (with client permission) and the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences. Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients.
• May negotiate job accommodations and follow-along contact by the IPS specialist 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. Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. For example, returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours.
• Follows up on job leads within 48 hours. Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts. Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment.
• Participates in face-to-face meetings with state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients. Collaborates with individual counselors between meetings to assist clients. Responsible for a minimum of number or job starts per year or maintaining at least % employment on caseload.
• Develops an individual employment and/or education plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with client permission.
• Spends 50 % or more of scheduled work hours in the community, for example, meets clients at their homes, workplaces, coffee shops, libraries, One-Stop offices, state VR office, family homes, helps clients follow up on job applications, and goes with clients to visit local GED programs and colleges.

Education and Experience Required: Education and Experience equivalent to undergraduate degree in mental health, rehabilitation counseling or business. Experience working with people with mental illness, experience providing employment services and knowledge of the world of work is preferred. Ability to work as an effective team player.

Supervised by: IPS Supervisor