Employment and Education Specialist

BRIDGEWAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES•Union, NJ

9d•$40,000 - $48,000

About The Position

Bridgeway offers uniquely rewarding experience in a supportive Team atmosphere. We invest in our employees. We offer excellent salary and benefits packages, and opportunities to advance your career. Become part of the Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services Team! Make a Future at Bridgeway! Who we are: Bridgeway values and promotes quality clinical and administrative practices to foster the best outcomes for persons who come to us for behavioral healthcare. We offer a work environment that supports teamwork, creativity, innovation, professional growth and dedication to the work. At Bridgeway, we never stop growing and innovating our vision of behavioral healthcare for the future. Why you should apply: As an Employment and Education Specialist, you will join an evidence-based program and a dynamic team for the opportunity to learn and refine your clinical and engagement skills and accomplish your dream of helping people to make progress on their unique recovery journeys. The work is sometimes challenging and always rewarding by engaging with persons we serve and co-workers as we all learn, grow, and thrive. POSITION OVERVIEW: Under the direction of the Career Services Team Leader, provides SE and SED evidence-based services to persons with serious mental illnesses, uses best SED practices in supporting persons to meet their education goals; and SE best practices in helping persons served through the Choose, Get, Keep and Leave process, which includes Pre-placement assessment, career planning, job development, job seeking and job placement, job coaching and follow-along services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related area
2 years post degree experience in the provision of MH vocational services preferred
Valid driver’s license required

Responsibilities

Create and Maintain:
A wellness and recovery-oriented environment by using person-first language, respectful documentation, and person-centered planning. All services provided will promote a wellness and recovery outcome.
A culture of compliance with internal and external policies, regulations, laws and high ethical standards
Vocational Preparation Activities:
Explores with person served vocational preferences, values and skills
Conducts/arranges for Career assessment activities including interest and aptitude testing, research and informational interviews
Conducts career planning to outline career goals
Arranges work shadowing or volunteer work experiences to build work tolerance when necessary
Provides job counseling as necessary for issues related to managing mental health while working
Job Coaching Activities:
On the job training and assessment
Assists with preparation of resumes, cover letters, job applications to include electronic versions
On the job training and assessment
Short term on-site job coaching
Job site visits and interventions
Off-site follow-along contact with persons served and employers
Employer Relations:
Job development
Facilitation of acceptance of workers with disabilities in the workplace
Attends business expos, job fairs, and Chamber of Commerce meetings/events
Consultation and education of employers, community stakeholders
Supported Employment:
Utilizes the 8 practice principles of SED in service provision: access to an education program with positive/forward progress as a goal, eligibility based on personal choice, services begin soon after the person expresses interest, SED is integrated with treatment, individual educational services are offered for as long as they are needed, persons preferences guide the SED services, services are strengthsbased promoting growth and hope, and recovery is an ongoing process facilitated by meaningful roles.
Provides Career Planning-vocational assessment, career exploration, development of an educational plan, course selection, instruction, support and supportive counseling.
Assists individuals in building academic survival skills-information on college and training programs, disability rights and resources, tutoring and mentoring services, time and stress management and social supports.
Provides direct assistance-help with enrollment, financial aid, educatin debt, and contingency funds
Provides Outreach-contacts with campus resources, mental health treatment team, and other agencies such as DVR.
Case Management:
Assumes all case management responsibilities for limited assigned caseload
Communicates with other service providers regarding vocational and educational functioning and needs
As required, provides evaluative and supportive interventions in response to mental and/or physical health urgent situations, and with permission, communicates with employers, collateral support agencies and family members as needed
Program Evaluation/Reports and Coordination:
Completes monthly program reports
Completes all reports and paperwork (written and electronic) required for compliance with funding regulations
Participates in data collection for program evaluation of annual goals
Coordination/evaluation of job sites
Coordinates services and communicates with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Skills and Knowledge Requirements:
Engagement and outreach, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, Supported Employment best practices, and trauma informed-recovery oriented approach to services.
Participates in clinical and non-clinical team meetings including individual and team supervision.
Actively seeks out monthly supervision from supervisor.