What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Employment Specialist position at Suncoast Center?
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling preferred
Licensure: N/A
Experience: Knowledge of employment related practices required. Previous experience with individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness and forensic involvement.
Must be 21 years of age.
Negative Drug Screening prior to hire and throughout employment.
Clear Criminal Background Check throughout employment with Suncoast Center and local checks prior to hire and annually along with DCF Level II prior to hire and as required by DCF, and Must have valid Florida Driver’s License Motor Vehicle checks prior to hire and annually with acceptable driving record maintained throughout employment along with reliable vehicle, valid registration, and valid vehicle insurance. (must be in compliance with Florida Laws and Administrative Codes with fingerprinting and determined to be of good moral character).
Working Conditions:
· Required to drive own car and/or company vehicle. Must meet established insurance requirements.
· FACT office, as well as in the community where most contacts occur. Exposure to extreme heat and humidity during the summer months.
· Available to cover on-call covering nighttime hours and weekends if required.
Computer Literate
Job Duties:
· Meets individually with persons served to assist them in determining employment possibilities using respectful and competency-based words and actions that take cultural differences into consideration and promote recovery by ensuring individual choice is valued.
· Ensures that whatever employment objectives are reached with the person served that these objectives are written on the person’s treatment plan with the plan of action accurately delineated.
· Establishes relationships with employers in the community to refer, support and advocate for persons served. Keeps a binder with all employer contacts and relevant information documented in it.
· Serves as a supportive link between the person served and the employer to advocate and assist with obstacles encountered when entering the work force and maintaining gainful employment.
· Completes all documentation correctly and in the required time frame including progress notes with objective to treatment plan clearly stated, timecard, and other documentation as requested by the team leader or needed to ensure all records are complete.
· Participates in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings. Discusses cases appropriately at staffings. When not able to be present at a daily meeting, calls in with specific review of client contacts over the previous 24-hour period.
· Provides other services to individuals served and/or the Team as needed and assigned by the team leader.
· Meets with the team leader for supervision when necessary to discuss cases and ensure excellence in clinical practice.
· Accomplishes individual goals
Core Competencies
- The ability to function and operate as a team player, showing dignity and respect for all.
- The ability to comply with all equal employment opportunity and ethical standards and regulations.
- The ability to take direction in a respectful and productive manner from supervisors and managers.
- The ability to work, as scheduled, in a timely fashion, and with an attitude oriented to service.
- The ability to have cordial and professional relationships both within the organization and with vendors, clients and third parties.
- If appropriate, the ability to produce all appropriate paperwork and reports consistent with contractual, state or federal standard, and to prepare and submit such paperwork on a timely basis.
- The ability to understand and comply with Suncoast Center, Inc. policies and procedures.
- The ability to render compassionate care and equal commitment to serve clients in need of healthcare assistance.
- Suncoast Center, Inc is a drug-free workplace and follows all federal laws regarding marijuana use
All positions require a screening through the Clearinghouse. This site was implemented under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025). https://info.flclearinghouse.com/