GENERAL SUMMARY

The SEP Vocational Specialist is a member of the Supported Employment team, working with persons with mental illness, chemical dependency and offender backgrounds to help them obtain and maintain paid employment. The incumbent is called upon to work in the community in the role of job developer and job coach and as a counselor to assess and develop necessary work skills in job seekers. Knowledge and expertise are shared through team collaboration and individual training, as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide evidence-based supported employment practices/services based on fidelity guidelines.
• Develop relationships with employers in the community and develop paid jobs for job seeking clients of SMH. Spend 30 % or more time in the community. Consult with and provide information and training on worker training techniques as needed (e.g. worker tax credits, job modifications, etc.).
• Provide vocational counseling to job seekers. Collaborate with job seekers to identify strengths, limitations and interests in order to develop realistic vocational plans for finding and maintaining paid employment. Engage and facilitate in the development of skills necessary for successful employment in their chosen field. Actively encourage the continuing development of independent living skills.
• Represent and market the services ofSound Employment Services and Sound.
• Work closely with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to establish a vocational plan, access resources and secure funding. Develop and implement service delivery contracts.
• Provide job coaching and long-term support services.
• Provide benefits counseling and education with regard to the effects of earned income on all entitlements and benefits.
• Teach career planning, job search skills, models of problem solving, interpersonal skills etc. in job readiness classes, and facilitate job retention groups.
• Coordinate care and planning as necessary with case management and medical staff.
• Coordinate with involved family or friends if client requests.
• Participate as a team member, responding to and assisting other vocational specialists in vocational activities as needed.
• Complete daily billing logs, maintain accurate per-event treatment notes as a part of the clinical record, and prepare timely billing of all reports and summaries to DVR.
• Understand, apply, synthesize and demonstrate recovery concepts in behavioral health.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KEY WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Establishes and maintains positive, ethical, and professional working relationships with clinical team members, clients, and outside organizations. Relates to a wide variety of people including members of ethnic and sexual minority populations and is respectful of individual and cultural differences.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in special, behavioral, medical or nursing sciences plus two years of related experience and/or training; or Master's degree. Previous experience in job development with persons with disabilities or experience in sales or marketing is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, and SKILLS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Competent knowledge of mental and emotional disorders and knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles, including supported employment.
• Knowledge of community resources/businesses for consumer placement and development of employer contacts as a job developer.
• Organizational skills.
• Comfort and ability to work with clientele from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, including sexual minorities, people with severe emotional disorders, the developmentally disabled and those with significant drug/alcohol involvement.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must be able to obtain a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor credential within the first 60 days of hire.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• WA state driver's license, insurable driving record and personal vehicle required to perform the duties of this job.
• Mental Health Professional status and Licensure preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

To successfully perform the essential duties of this Job, an individual must be able to sit at a desk for four or more hours a day, and use office equipment, including phones and computer keyboards, for four or more hours per day. Individuals must be able to engage vendors, team members, clients and others over the phone and in-person by voice. Regular attendance is an essential function of the Job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities to perform essential Job functions.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above Job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work performed; it is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and required skills for the Job. Team members will be required to follow any other Job-related instructions and to perform other duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities necessary to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.