About the Center: The Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center of St. Clair County is located in East St. Louis, IL. The Center has been in operation since 1957 serving the needs of children, adolescents, and adults.
Our mission is to provide quality individualized essential services for people in need of emotional, rehabilitative and social support, on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, in the least restrictive environment. We strive to be the top-ranking Community Behavioral Health Center within its size, population and category in the State of Illinois.
Description: The Employment Specialist role is critical in directly supporting disabled clients of The Center’s Supportive Housing Programs by helping them find and maintain employment.
Key Duties:
· Engage clients and establish trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.
· Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Help clients report earnings, as needed.
· Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provide education and support to family members.
· Discuss client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
· Conduct job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of clients, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
· Conduct a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
· Provide individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
· Write job support plans with clients and incorporating input from the mental health team.
· Adjust plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.
· Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodation and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer.
· Provide outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Use a variety of methods to provide outreach.
· Provide timely interventions. Return phone calls and react to situations in a timely manner.
· Meet with employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours.
· Follow up on job leads within 48 hours. Meet with clients within one week prior to the job starts and within three days after the job starts.
· Participate in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicate individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
· Develop an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients. Incorporate input from mental health team and family members, with permission.
· Spend 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, etc.
· Take clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
· Provide supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Knowledge of IPS Method
· Knowledge of local employers.
· Ability to work collaboratively with all CBHC and interorganizational staff.
· Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
· Ability to use Microsoft Office.
· Willingness and ability to flex schedule as program needs change to accommodate 24/7 operations.
· Ability to maintain strict client and program confidentiality.
· Ability to relate well with a diverse group of people, including staff, clients, and the public.
· Ability and willingness to participate in agency efforts at community education, interagency collaboration, etc.
Education and Certification:
· Bachelor’s degree in Mental Health, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Rehabilitation Counseling, Business or a related field.
· Experience working with individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) or co-occurring behavioral health disorders required.
· A minimum of two (2) years’ experience providing employment or vocational rehabilitation services is preferred.
· Knowledge of workforce development, employment resources, job placement strategies, and employer engagement is preferred.
· Strong understanding of person-centered, recovery-oriented practices and the barriers individuals with behavioral health conditions may face in obtaining and maintaining employment preferred.
Reports to: Program Manager Supportive Housing
Hours: Day shift Monday through Friday
Compensation: $22.00 to $23.00 per hour
Pay: $22.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
