What are the responsibilities and job description for the Human Services Specialist II - Behavioral Health Supported Employment and Education Case Manager position at City of Alexandria?
Human Services Specialist II
Supported Employment and Education Case Manager
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist II position.
An Overview
The Human Services Specialist II - Behavioral Health Supported Employment and Education Case Manager provides partnership development and management, supported employment and education, and casework services to individuals presenting with alcohol/substance abuse and/or mental health problems that are referred internally, both in a facility and community setting. The incumbent provides support and assistance to clients and their families with utilizing available resources to meet their personal vocational needs and goals and empower clients to achieve financial independence and self-reliance. Evaluates and assesses clients’ needs and preferences to provide vocational guidance. Collaborates with the client to develop treatment plans, and collects data for tracking purposes. An employee in this class receives oversight and case review from a supervisor.
What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of the challenges to individuals with behavior health-related disabilities in the occupational and educational progresses. Knowledge of available community resources addressing medical, legal, mental health, economic and social service needs. Strong customer service, engaging and communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with a variety of clients, professionals and citizens. Skill in public speaking, community networking and persuasion. Ability to create content and conduct groups. Ability to assess client needs and strengths into sound vocational guidance. Skill in time management and timely documentation.
The Opportunity
- Build and sustain community partnerships with employers and resources that advance the vocational goals of clients with behavioral, criminal justice, economic, prior work history, educational challenges and active mental health symptoms and history offering workplace adaptations to accommodate their needs;
- Maintain database of partnerships reflective of said barriers and shows steady growth;
- Provide one-to-one client centered supported employment services to individuals with complex, layered barriers to employment or education programs;
- Utilize knowledge of local resources to resolve clients’ vocational case management needs;
- Conduct vocational assessments and integrate the results with behavioral health history to inform and guide the development of vocational counseling and support plans, verbally and in writing;
- Attend and present at networking events to increase employer partner base;
- Accompany and provide advocacy during client appointments and interviews;
- Arrange events for educational, interview-simulation and recruitment purposes;
- Develop and maintain ongoing, varied community-based Situational Assessment job try-out sites that allow ongoing client access;
- Conduct interactive classes and vocational support groups;
- Research and keep unit abreast of local labor market trends;
- Use evidenced-based practices including raising and meeting with treatment teams to inform client-centered treatment plans;
- Intervene with high-risk clients to diffuse and promote safety and support;
- Prepare Social Security SSI/SSDI applications on clients’ behalf and provide testimony during in person appointments;
- Advocate for clients (courts, jails, schools, residential facilities, etc.), and conduct home/site welfare check visits as needed;
- Maintain communication with clients, family, workers, employers, training sites and providers;
- Prepare reports and maintain client records and required interval documentation;
- Adhere to internal protocols with record management and EHR uploads;
- Collect to capture key vocational performance data into a monthly statistical report;
- Operate as subject-matter expert with resume creation;
- Support the Supervisor with executing rolling community-based efforts designed to promote the program, enhance client services and address societal-wide stigma affecting this population;
- Other duties as assigned.
About the Department
The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.
Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of their residence.
At least two years of clinical experience providing vocational and/or pre-vocational services to adults with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Possession of the Work Incentives Practitioner Certification (WIP-C) or equivalent Social Security benefit counselor certification. Certified as a Qualified Mental Health Practitioner (QMHP). Fluent & Bilingual in English and Spanish or another language.
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening; and Driver's license.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Salary : $56,890 - $76,206
