Job Title: Employment Specialist

Employment Type: Full-Time; Mon - Fri.

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Assistant Director of Supported Employment Services

Location: multiple boroughs within NYC

Objective:

The Employment Specialist is responsible for assisting clients towards obtaining competitive employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. The ideal candidate will help clients think about long-term employment goals, work history, strengths, personal culture (as defined by each person), justice involvement, and other factors that relate to a current vocational goal.

The employment specialist will be trained to utilize the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence-based model to supported employment. The ideal candidate will additionally be formally trained to practice Motivational Interviewing and work as a member of an interdisciplinary team in supportive housing serving individuals impacted by serious mental illness, substance use, co-occurring disorders and homelessness.

Position Type:

This is a full-time position with a variable schedule based on the needs of clients and employers. This may involve flexible evening hours.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide supported employment services for individuals who may experience mental illness, substance abuse, physical disability, HIV/AIDs and other chronic illness.
• Conducting daily field work developing employment opportunities for 65% of the workday.
• Developing strong employer relationships providing a customized job search for each person on your caseload.
• Assist clients to develop job searching skills, resume writing, interviewing skills and completing online applications.
• Provide information about job retention, accommodation, disclosure issues to employers and how benefits may be affected by earned income.
• Deliver ongoing supports to individuals who have obtained employment.
• Must be a self-starter with strong communication and writing skills.
• Document progress notes and employer contacts for individuals on your case load.
• Attend trainings and staff meetings as required.
• Complete reports as directed by supervisor.
• Perform other job-related duties, as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associates degree required, Bachelors preferred and or 1 year of experience working with individuals with mental illness and substance abuse.
• Prior workforce development and field sales experience preferred.
• Experience providing direct service to populations impacted by HIV/AIDS, mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness is required.
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent writing ability, demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to perform complex tasks with limited supervision.
• Must possess the ability to work independently and successfully in a start-up operation.
• Must be flexible and be willing to travel to various locations.

Work Environment: This job operates in a supportive housing site and works with a population who experiences mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note:

Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy and just communities. Lantern welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and experiences regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, pregnancy, religion, immigration status, veteran status, class, creed, mental or physical disability, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.