Job description

Sequoia is a nonprofit organization that provides an array of behavioral health services for adults, children and their families in Washington County. Services are based on the belief that people have the right to culturally competent, accessible, person-centered treatment and that anyone can recover, and maintain a life full of hope and meaning. Our clinical services are evidence-based and trauma informed and include psychiatric medication, intensive case management, integrated dual diagnosis treatment, individual, group and family therapies, supported employment, substance use services, adult residential treatment and supportive housing.

All staff are supported and encouraged to develop and grow with Sequoia. We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits package. We are seeking employees who are excited by the idea of lifelong growth in the skills they bring to helping those in need in and organization that fosters that growth through collaboration, integration, and fostering a healthy work/life balance in and environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. If this sounds like an organization you would like to be part of, we encourage you to apply and start an amazing career with Sequoia today.

• Employer paid Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Employee Incentive Program
• Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• 24 days of PTO
• 9 Holidays
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Employer paid basic life insurance and short-term disability coverage.
• 403b retirement plan with Employer match after 6 months
• Employee assistance program
• Annual allowance for professional development
• Online Education tools for CEU's
• Employee Referral Bonus

Position Overview:

The supported employment specialist helps clients find and keep competitive employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.

Essential Job Functions:

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community settings.
• Assists clients in learning how their benefits will be affected by earned income. For example, refers clients for benefits planning to learn about work incentives offered by Social Security Administration.
• After employment is achieved, assists with an individualized plan for reporting earnings to Social Security Administration or other sources of benefits.
• Helps 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.
• Completes career profile for each new client with information from the client, mental health practitioners, and with permission, family members or past employers. Updates the profile with each new job and education experience.
• With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members about work and gathers input about skills, interests, strengths of the client and ideas for support.
• Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers, including possible costs and benefits and specific information to be disclosed.
• Provides assistance with the job search regardless of client’s preferences regarding disclosure (i.e., support without employer contact when client chooses not to disclose).
• Develops an individual employment plan with the client and with input from the mental health worker, other treatment team providers (for example, the VR counselor) and family members (with permission). Incorporates information about the person’s culture (as defined by each client) that related to work and school.
• Updates the employment plan quarterly or when there is a change in employment or education status.
• 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.
• Conducts at least six employer contacts each week to learn about businesses and employer needs, to talk about specific clients who are looking for work and/or to talk about employer services offered by the IPS program.
• Is responsible for a minimum of 12 job starts each year after the first year of employment.
• Supports clients making employer contacts by applying for jobs, or learning more about jobs available in the community, within 30 days of program entry, on average.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Provides frequent in-person supports during the first month of a new job and at least monthly after working steadily and desired by clients.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer/educator.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they miss appointments. Uses a variety of methods to discover what is interfering with the person’s employment plan.
• Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate services and generate ideas to help people achieve their employment goals.
• Attends monthly meetings with VR counselors to discuss possible referrals and shared clients.
• Communicates with VR counselors between monthly meetings.
• Spends at least 65% or more of total scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets with clients in community settings and develops relationships with managers at their businesses.
• Helps clients with career development including finding jobs that are more desirable, helping people ask for raises and promotions, and helping with education and training programs that are available to the general public.
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to IPS, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education/Experience:

• Education and experience equivalent to undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, and qualify for a QMHA certification.
• Experience working with people with serious mental illnesses, experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
• Ability to work as an effective team member is essential.

Required Skills:

• Computer skills,, word processing and data entry
• Requires reliable transportation. Must be willing to transport clients or meet clients in the community as needed.
• Ability to pass a criminal history check
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License and good driving record.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Use hands to manipulate, handle, feel, and control items or equipment;
• Walk, bend, kneel, and reach;
• Ability to lift 20 lb.;
• Stand and/or sit for long periods of time;
• Talk, hear, and communicate effectively with clients;
• See and be able to read, write, and interpret written documents.

Sequoia Mental Health Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,672.00 - $52,540.80 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person