Employment & Education Specialist

Fred Finch Youth Center•Oakland, CA

22h

About The Position

The Employment & Education Specialist, known internally as the Employment Specialist, is part of a multidisciplinary team helping program participants meet their mental health and wellness goals. Following the Individualized Placement Support (IPS) model and promoting competitive employment as an attainable goal for young adults with serious mental illness, the specialist supports participants in pursuing their employment aspirations. The specialist manages all phases of employment services for participants seeking work, including intake, engagement, assessment, job development and placement, job coaching, and job retention. At least 65% of work time is spent in the community with employers and participants. Other related duties may be assigned. The program serves transition-age youth through individually designed services that help participants build the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed for adult life. Its approaches draw on the Transition to Independence (TIP) model, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), with staff education in co-occurring complexity and Motivational Interviewing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent years of related work experience.
Demonstrated cultural responsiveness when working with diverse families and communities.
Demonstrated understanding of developmental milestones of children, youth, or young adults to provide care, treatment, and services.
Demonstrated ability to use de-escalation techniques aligned with trauma-informed care when supporting participants in crisis or showing early signs of distress.
Valid California driver’s license with a clean driving record, or ability to obtain one within 10 days after hire.
Basic computer and keyboarding competence, including ability to use Microsoft Office Suite.
Access to dependable transportation and personal car insurance meeting the minimum liability coverage required for the position.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of post-college experience working with or providing mental health counseling to teens or transition-age youth living with mental illness, developmental or intellectual disability, and/or severe emotional disturbance, often with unstable housing situations.
Experience delivering career development, job development, or vocational services.
At least one year of experience working with socioeconomically and culturally diverse populations.
Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Knowledge of employment, educational, and healthcare resources in Alameda or Contra Costa County.
Fluency in the prevailing language(s) of the community.
Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

Help program participants meet their mental health and wellness goals as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Support participants in achieving their employment aspirations in keeping with the Individualized Placement Support (IPS) model.
Provide all phases of employment services, including program intake, engagement, assessment, job development and placement, job coaching, and job retention.
Spend at least 65% of work time in the community with employers and participants.
Complete other job-related duties as assigned.