Employment Specialist (PROS) - Outpatient Programs

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.  

Scope of Position: The Employment Specialist at The Bridge plays a vital role in supporting adults with serious mental health diagnoses, substance use challenges, and co-occurring medical conditions as they work toward meaningful recovery and employment goals. Guided by a Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed approach, the Employment Specialist provides person-centered psychiatric rehabilitation and vocational support to individuals enrolled in the PROS program using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Working closely with the Program Director and interdisciplinary staff, this role helps participants navigate employment opportunities, build independence, and achieve greater community integration while maintaining legal and ethical standards. The position reflects The Bridge’s mission to provide help, hope, and opportunity to vulnerable adults throughout New York City.

Essential Position Functions:

• Primarily responsible for working with individuals in the program who have an employment-focused life role goal.
• Assisting individuals in skills and steps according to the IPS model for job attainment
• Document employment outcomes in the NYESS database.
• Dedicate time towards community outreach, developing relationships with potential employers and co-managing a database of employment sites for PROS participants seeking competitive work.
• Provide individual and group curricula-based employment related services and interventions to participants seeking employment, guided by IPS, CPI and OMH standards.
• Help participants identify how to use their natural and developed strengths towards their employment goal process.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to provide participants with person-centered recovery and mental health services and with other employment support staff for effective collaboration.
• Document all participant contacts and services (progress notes, employment records in electronic health records in a timely manner and report necessary outcomes to governing bodies (CPI, OMH, etc.).
• Link participants to employment, education, vocational interests and community integration relevant to assist with employment goals.
• Must be able to maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with service recipients
• Basic knowledge of the public mental health system
• Experience working within the mental health/behavioral health field preferred
• Knowledge of harm reduction and person-centered service provision preferred
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social services- related field.
• Clinical supervision hours available.
• Demonstrate excellent time and task management skills, as well as oral and written communication skills.
• Bilingual is a plus.
• Strong computer skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication including the ability to establish empathic, empowering relationships with people who have experienced psychiatric disabilities and trauma

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $45,000 - $50,000