Employment Specialist

Abode•San Francisco, CA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist provides worksite placement, case management, employment, and retention services to program participants, and recruits work sites for work experience placements and employment. The role serves as the on-site expert in Individual Placement and Support (IPS), an evidence-based practice, and develops supportive employment programs in accordance with IPS guidelines. The specialist supports participants in pursuing competitive employment based on their interests and goals, without excluding them on the basis of readiness, diagnoses, symptoms, substance use history, psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, disability level, or legal system involvement. The Employment Specialist works with participants to assess skills, build motivation, find meaningful work, develop employment-related goals, secure jobs, and maintain employment. The role also develops relationships with local employers to create work opportunities and supportive environments, while collaborating with participants and clinical team members on benefits and entitlements information.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, human services, social work, sociology, or a related field, or equivalent field experience.
Two years of experience providing employment and job development skills to people with disabilities.
One year of field experience working with people with serious mental illness, individuals with co-occurring disorders, and/or the homeless population.
Use of a personal vehicle.
Valid California driver’s license and current auto insurance.
Clean DMV record.

Responsibilities

Serve as the on-site expert in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and deliver services in accordance with IPS guidelines.
Develop supportive employment programs.
Assess participants’ skills and help increase motivation to work and identify jobs that are meaningful to them.
Provide employment workshops to help participants increase their skills.
Assist participants in securing full- and part-time employment.
Accompany participants to job fairs and interviews and assist with submitting applications.
Help participants create and revise resumes.
Work with the team to develop participant-driven employment goals.
Coach participants on work-related issues and promote self-advocacy.
Support participants in improving job retention.
Assist participants and the clinical team in obtaining personalized, understandable, and accurate information about Social Security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements.
Recruit local employers and develop permanent employment, short-term labor, paid internship, and job-shadowing opportunities.
Build partnerships with employers to provide supportive work environments for participants who need more structured employment experiences.
Manage employer relationships to support participant retention and create new jobs.
Create and update promotional materials for potential employers highlighting the benefits of employing participants.
Develop community job opportunities by building high-level relationships with businesses.
Perform other duties as assigned.