IPS Employment Specialist

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Responsible for program development and quality improvement efforts.
• Communicate and educate participants, families, colleagues and community partners about the principles and procedures of supported employment. Have awareness of benefits advisement.
• Conduct initial and ongoing vocational assessments, identifying participant interests, strengths, skills, abilities, and unique set of challenges towards the goal of matching them with jobs.
• Assist participants in job development, job match, networking and job search activities directed toward positions that are consistent with their needs and interests
• Help participants obtain competitive employment in integrated job settings
• Provide individualized follow along services in the community to assist participants in sustaining employment
• 65% of time will be spent in the community. Develop jobs in the community; reach out to and engage potential employers
• Provide education and support to employer, as agreed upon by the participant, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow along contact with the employer
• Provide services to participants individually.
• Provide outreach services as necessary to participants when they appear to disengage from services
• Collaborate with the ACT service delivery team to coordinate and integrate vocational services into recovery and rehabilitation services
• Complete all necessary paperwork in My Avatar, NYESS and all other required systems
• Track and analyze supported employment outcomes
• Participate in external and inter-agency initiatives and programs
• Provide reports and documentation as required by JB and external regulatory agencies
• Complete internal and external trainings as required. Participate in daily team meetings and supervision.
• 65% of time spent in the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL / TRAINING REQUIRED:
• A High School Diploma or equivalent (GED or TASC)
• 6 months personal or professional experience in human services
• Able to travel independently or with reasonable accommodation

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED / LANGUAGE PREFERENCE:
• General knowledge in job development, job marketing and job securing is strongly desired.
• Experience working with adults living with mental illness is preferred.
• Basic understanding of benefits and entitlements.
• Basic understanding of work incentive programs.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:
• Experience working with electronic medical records
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook); comfortable and proficient using audio video platforms (Teams)

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXTERITY:
• Able to read data and documents, including spreadsheets, reports and Electronic Health Records in printed form and on computer screens.
• Able to input data into the Electronic Health Record.
• Limited applications of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Physical Demands:
• Regularly required to speak clearly and hear the spoken word well.
• Regularly required to physically operate routine office equipment such as telephones, computers, etc.
• Regularly required to utilize near vision ability and to read data and documents, including spreadsheets, reports and Electronic Health Records in printed form and on computer screens.
• Regularly required to travel to various locations to meet with clients