Community Education Specialist

Job Description

Department Overview:

The Community Education Specialist 2 will be assigned to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VRP) @ ZSFG, which is a program of the UCSF Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Citywide Case Management Employment Program. The VRP’s mission is to provide job readiness and job training for individuals with chronic mental illness, often complicated by persistent homelessness, substance abuse, chronic medical problems, and criminal justice involvement.

Currently, VRP provides work and job training for 40 individuals, 4 days a week, across a variety of hospital-based services and small businesses, including catering, baking, and our newest social enterprise, “Happy Buns” hot dog cart. Participants also work in quilt-making and sewing, as well as in hospital support services, including clothing and book donation management, patient clothing, a bakery, and book distribution. We also have an administrative assistant training program.

Job Function Summary

Uses professional community educational program concepts to deliver and enhance standardized educational programs and volunteer educational programs as needed. Analyzes program content and delivery needs to determine effectiveness of current programs and identify underrepresented constituencies in the community. Participates in recruitment and outreach activities for assigned program.

Responsibilities

% of timeEssential Function (Yes/No)Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor)

60 Yes

Under general supervision, organizes and conducts existing community educational courses and / or manages a volunteer education program and assists in the development of new programs and course materials.

Service Provision

Assist VRP participants in developing vocational goals; Develop individual instructional programs; Provide individual job coaching and training; Provide evaluation of job skills and accommodation needs. Serve as a peer mentor and role model of recovery. Assist VRP staff in the administration and management of various businesses and projects at SFGH.

20 Yes

May serve as a work leader to lower-level educators, professionals, or volunteers. May provide training or mentoring to volunteers.

Service Planning, Consultation and Liaison

Provide VRP staff with ideas and strategies to effectively manage program projects and businesses. Utilizes knowledge of mental health and community resources plan for each client, integrating knowledge of a wide range of human service resources. Assist the Program Manager to: develop relationships with community organizations and businesses to create job opportunities for clients; coordinate community service activities; and coordinate with other vocational specialists the volunteer positions at the center.

20 Yes

Assists in conducting analysis, prioritizing work assignments and developing program recommendations.

Record Keeping and Administration

Meet program productivity standards. Assists in processing quality improvement requests. Attend staff and other assigned meetings, and participates in training sessions (e.g., In-services, grand rounds). Identifies program problems and makes recommendations to supervisory and administrative staff. Other duties as assigned.

Problem Solving

Please provide 2-3 examples of problem solving for this position as described below (please be brief: 1-3 sentences for each example).

Common Problems Solved By The Employee

• Engaging a client with a long history of mental illness and encouraging the client to show up and stay in treatment
• Needing to assess a client’s change in behavior and cooperation
  
  

Less frequent and more complex problems solved by the employee:

• Utilizing engagement and recovery model strategies to encourage clients to pursue activities when they are not engaged
• Working with clients who are aggressive or even violent
  
  

Problems/situations That Are Referred To This Employee's Supervisor

• Unable to stabilize the client’s behavior
• Increased hospitalizations or not taking medication
  
  

Qualifications

• Associates degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Continuing education in related field required.
• An understanding of mental health issues and sensitivity toward mental health clients
• Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and work independently in a high pressure environment;
• Good problem solving skills
• Ability to work with clients and program staff from diverse cultural and social class backgrounds.
• Able to lift 50lbs and climb stairs
• Good analytical skills to understand how business needs can be addressed through the development and delivery of training programs.
• Good reading, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and good presentation skills.
• Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability.
• One year of verifiable experience within the last five years working with a culturally diverse population performing a combination of the following range of duties: data entry experience, providing information, education, intervention and/or referral services, assisting staff in the assessment process and providing input into the development of treatment plans, conducting interviews, and participation in health promotion and health education outreach activities.
• This position is intended as a mental health peer position. Hiring preference will be an individual with personal experiences as a consumer of mental health services. Please respond to this preference in your cover letter. A preliminary job offer and assignment may be extended pending successful background clearance.