Employment Specialist

Overall Function: Provides services of the IPS EDGE Supported Employment program by assisting clients to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains a caseload of 15-20 in job search activities and 5-10 in retention supports.
• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of enhanced or primary employment. Completes 5 initial intakes monthly and can discuss any obstacles that arise to address and concern in reaching this goal.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) or current child support deductions and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Works as a team with FSD to determine any adjustments to child support amounts to ensure longevity of employment. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.
• Assesses clients' vocational functioning on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of legal or disability status to employers.
• 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 a minimum of six employer contacts per week and documented in Apricot. 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 incorporating input from the team. Completes in 3 days from Client start date.
• Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment 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. Provide necessary documentation to support services and inventions including phone calls and/or attempts. Completed in Apricot within 24 hours of service provided or contact made and Status report on weekly basis by Friday at 4pm.
• 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. Complete within 3 days.
• Participates in weekly meetings with IPS team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services. Completes status reports weekly.
• Participates in communication with EDGE Coordinator to coordinate services for clients or any job related concerns.
• Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients. Incorporates input from team and family members, with permission. Completes in 3 days from program start date/job start.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, FSD office, family home, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc. Add all scheduled events, meetings, and any job related tasks in Basecamp schedule by Friday before the following week or prior to event ensures all scheduled appointments are inputted to ensure
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
• Responsible for a minimum of __5_ number or job starts per month or maintaining at least _80_% employment on caseload.

Qualifications: Education and experience equivalent to undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, or business. Experience working with people with barriers, experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.

Ability to work as an effective team player is essential.