Education/Employment Case Manager

Responsible to: Director of Behavioral Health & Drug and Alcohol Services

Job Summary:

The Case Manager for Employment and Education Services will have the primary

responsibility for ensuring that participants in recovery are provided with access to an array of employment opportunities. The main work of the position will be to ensure that there is “no wrong door” for participants in need of services. The case manager for Education and Employment Services will also connect the participants to the local PA Career Link System.

Job Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Salary $35,000

Primary Functions:

1. Outreaches and assesses participants for work readiness, skills, strengths, aptitudes, and any potential limitations/barriers to employment and/or education.
2. Enrolls participants in TRY’s employment program.
3. Develops employment and educational plans with goals and timelines that will help participants move their job search and educational training forward.
4. Assists participants to become work-ready by identifying barriers and offering resources/solutions.
5. Each participant has a completed assessment and service strategy.
6. Works with at least 120 participants throughout the fiscal year.
7. Outreaches to local vocational training programs, detention centers, local trade associations, and community-based organizations.
8. Refers participants to TRY’s Counseling Center for substance use or mental health assessment.
9. Ensures that participants are meeting with their Mental Health counselor, when necessary.
10. Works with each participant’s Substance Abuse or Mental Health clinician to ensure that the educational and employment plan accounts for any mental and/or social development issues.
11. Each participant has an initial Substance abuse and/or Mental Health assessment.
12. Orients, interviews, screens, and counsels’ participants for various job opportunities.
13. Serves as a mentor to ensure that the participants do not go through any “wrong doors” and that they have access to education, training, employment, and career development services.
14. Assists with organizing 1 mini-job fair on a quarterly basis.
15. Creates outreach and marketing materials that can be distributed and displayed that encourage participants to enter.
16. Refers eligible participants to the Business Development Specialist for

placement into internships and employment opportunities that are appropriate to skills, aptitudes, and interests.

1. Experience with computer technology, health care, law enforcement, construction, and/or green industry jobs preferred.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintains contact with referral agencies and other service providers.
2. Serves as a case manager to assigned clients. Maintains family records according to program standards and expectations. Ensures client records are complete are regarding regulatory requirements and that all documentations are present and clear.
3. On an as needed basis may be required to attend court hearings.
4. Conducts follow- up with discharged clients at 30, 60, and 90-day intervals.
5. Provides consultation to the Director, team, and individual staff of the assigned unit(s), concerning treatment needs and strategies regarding the clients and families, and for the development and monitoring of a therapeutic environment.
6. Schedules and facilitates meetings with clients, parents, and other services providers.
7. Attends and participates in supervision meetings weekly.
8. Maintains a minimum of 25 training hours per year.
9. Experience working with substance abuse or justice-related participants helpful
10. Exceptional with time management, able to multi-task, and meet deadlines.
11. Experience with case management for youth and young adults considered high-risk.
12. Culturally competent serving ethnically and socio-economically diverse participants.
13. Able to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
14. Experienced and comfortable working with youth in one-on-one and group settings.
15. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
16. Previous experience assisting people to find employment.
17. Familiar with Western PA labor market, workforce investment system, and PA career link centers is a plus.
18. An understanding of adversities faced by young adults with legal infractions.

A passion and desire to work with, and advocate for, substance use disorder participants, many of whom may have multiple barriers to employment that need to be identified and solved.

Leadership skills in conflict intervention, negotiation and decision-making.

Strong communication skills, both oral and written. Ability to speak effectively and persuasively to participants, employers, and community groups. Strong networking skills. Experience with court-involved participants helpful. Bilingual preferred.

Computer literate.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; sit, and walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; the employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

Proper diction and command of the English language is required. Individuals must be able to exercise independent thinking and good judgment under all circumstances. Reliable transportation is necessary for this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with at least two years’ experience or a bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of experience, preferably in the social services as well as two years’ experience in case management work with substance use disorders, families, or adolescents is preferred but not required. Verbal and written communication skills and ability to utilize Microsoft Excel and Word, and other programs to produce reports, conduct tracking and store data on participants. Individual must have a valid PA driver’s license and reliable transportation.

This job description reflects the assignment of essential and other responsibilities of this position; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.