Employment Specialist Jobs

We are hiring for:

Supported Employment Specialist
Type: Regular

If you are a positive and personable individual looking for a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and people facing mental health, and substance use challenges, join our team at RHA Health Services!

This position requires an energetic and organized person with proven knowledge, skills, and abilities in achieving quantitative placement goals, knowledge and experience preparing clients for employment, developing unsubsidized jobs with private and public employers, placing clients into jobs, and providing follow-up support services to assure job retention. Must demonstrate and apply knowledge about disabilities, including disability and privacy laws. Ability to communicate effectively with clients and staff, exhibit effective customer service skills, promote client self-advocacy skills and counseling skills. This position provides and coordinates a wide range of supportive employment services. The program's practice model is based on the Individual Supportive Employment with Long-Term Vocational Supports as defined by the Department of Justice. Assist adults with a wide range of mental health issues and conditions in obtaining employment.

Job Summary

This position requires an energetic and organized person with proven knowledge, skills and abilities in achieving quantitative placement goals, knowledge and experience preparing clients for employment, developing unsubsidized jobs with private and public employers, placing clients into jobs, and providing follow-up support services to assure job retention. Must demonstrate and apply knowledge about disabilities, including disability and privacy laws. Ability to communicate effectively with clients and staff, exhibit effective customer service skills, promote client self-advocacy skills and counseling skills. This position provides and coordinates a wide range of supportive employment services. The program's practice model is based on the Individual Supportive Employment with Long-Term Vocational Supports as defined by the Department of Justice. Assist adults with a wide range of mental health issues and conditions in obtaining employment.

Education/Experience/Certifications/Licenses/Physical Demands

• Prefer a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and at least 1 year of experience working with intellectually developmentally disabled persons, mental health, substance abuse, or a Minimum of 2 years’ experience in recruiting and job placement, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Applicant must be able to pass a pre-employment drug-screening exam, and possess a valid Driver’s License.
• Education, Licensure, and Experience required for the position include: Bachelor’s degree preferred. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in recruiting and job placement.

Responsibilities

Clinical team integration (with Employment Support Professionals as members of a clinical team); participate in ongoing collaboration with client’s treatment team for clinical consultation, employment plan or for the development of behavioral health support services.

• Assist clients in making the decision as to whether they will disclose their disability to an employer, ensuring that individuals have all necessary information available on the potential ramifications of their choices, and promoting their preferences and self-determination.
• Provide support for individuals in a variety of ways such as vocational assessment, job development, training, technical assistance, monitoring safety conditions, transportation and follow-along support.
• Receive, review, process, file and/or submit a variety of documents and reports and electronic files on client’s including time studies, performance ratings, time sheets, data sheets, production sheets, professional contact sheets, accident reports, client satisfaction surveys, etc.
• Establish a job matrix (accounts) to support employment interest expressed by clients served. Engage clients and assist them in identifying areas of employment interest.
• Provide ongoing individual support and encouragement to clients.
• Match job seeking clients and employers using a variety of professional job placement and job development skills.
• Provide follow along supports and retention services including on site job coaching to ensure client success and employer satisfaction.
• Provide ongoing client vocational assessment, developing client employment goals and job support plans.
• Maintain accurate, clinically sound, and up-to-date documentation as required associated with billing, assessment, treatment, person's progress, clinical team and other activities.
• Completes observations of service users in all of their settings, (i.e. school, home, community, etc.) to ensure that all policies, procedures, and program data are in place and being implemented correctly.
• Works closely with other clinical/professional staff to maintain communication and provide feedback, standard procedures, expedite employment plan implementation.
• Assist clients in obtaining information about benefits and how they are impacted by the client’s employment.
• Provide education/support to employers as agreed upon with clients.
• Participate as a member of a supported employment team consisting of a clinical director, peer support staff and mental health professionals. Engage clients and assist them in identifying areas of employment interest.
• Document results of observations, consultations, and meetings to address client-related issues.
• Draft responses to and implement changes brought about by Quality Assurance audits and/or other regulatory agencies. Maintains all services in compliance with IPRS regulations without condition level deficiencies.
• Monitors and ensures the protection of service users’ rights on an ongoing basis.
• Follow MHDDSAS regulations and guidelines for supported employment.
• Assist in conducting screening and assessment procedures with individuals.
• Train, oversee and direct the activities of individuals while performing job duties.
• Work as liaison between the employer and employee to ensure needs are met.
• Provide support for individuals in a variety of ways such as assessment, job development, training, technical assistance, monitoring safety conditions, providing transportation and follow-along support.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with various individuals and agencies including area supervisors, referring agencies, VR counselors, parents/guardians, case workers, employers, etc.
• Receive, review, process, file and/or submit a variety of documents and reports and electronic files on individuals including time studies, performance ratings, time sheets, data sheets, production sheets, professional contact sheets, accident reports, client satisfaction surveys, etc.

Core Individual Contributor Competencies

RHA’s Competencies are a reflection of our 7 Habits Culture of Caring and Leadership

Serving the People we Support / Customers - Supports our Culture of Caring

Has sufficient knowledge of the services and helps the people we support or our customers enthusiastically; communicates well with the people we support and customers and follows up as necessary is always professional and represents the organization positively.

Accepting Responsibility - Supported by Being Proactive

Takes accountability for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes; and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his or her actions and their consequences, both good and bad.

Supporting Organizational Goals - Supported by Beginning with the End in Mind

Actively supports organizational goals and values; aligns actions around organizational goals; gives priority to organizational needs and concerns when making decisions.

Managing Time - Supported by Putting First Things First

Accurately estimates time required to complete actions and activities; adheres to schedule and timetables; sensitive to the use of other people's time.

Supporting Co-Workers - Supported by Thinking Win-Win

Contributes to team performance by providing encouragement and support. Helps others overcome obstacles and successfully accomplish goals.

Attentive Listening - Supported by Seeking First to Understand, then to be Understood

Uses active listening techniques to avoid distractions and show interest in what the speaker has to say; is open to other viewpoints and clarifies points of contention; demonstrates patience while listening to others and does not interrupt.

Solving Complex Problems - Supported by ‘Synergize’

Effective at thinking through complex problems and information; uses traditional and innovative approaches to identify effective solutions. Seeks to accept and build off the ideas of others for solutions others may not have considered.

Pursuing Self Development - Supported by Sharpening the Saw

Demonstrates ambition and desire to move forward in his or her career; seeks feedback on ways to increase his or her performance; takes advantage of opportunities to build new skills and capabilities.

The ideal candidate for the Employment Professional position must have a flexible schedule and reliable transportation. Previous experience preferred, but we are willing to train the right person.

Pre-employment screening:

• Complete criminal background
• Name checked in the registries. (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)
• Drug testing
• Education verification and other credentialing based on position requirements.
• Proof of employment history or references (if required)
• Positions that require driving Proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle, IF required for providing transportation for individuals.

We offer the following benefits to employees:

• Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday!
• Employee perks and discount program: to help you save money!
• Paid Time Off (full-time employees only)
• Health/Insurance (full-time employees only)
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial
• Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
• Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training opportunities
• contract/contingent workers and interns do not qualify for any of the above benefits

EEO Statement RHA is an equal opportunity employer. In addition, we provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact our solutions center.

About RHA:

At RHA Health Services, we help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and/or substance use needs live their best lives. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment while creating opportunities for personal outcomes.

For over 30 years, the people we serve and support have remained at the very center of everything we do. RHA currently provides services in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of people we serve and support apply to join the team today.