Employment Specialist

MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS INC•San Diego, CA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Provide competitive employment and education services to clients in accordance with evidence‑based supported employment principles. Engage clients in vocational goal development, assist with rapid job search and educational pursuits, and provide ongoing follow‑along support while functioning as the team’s employment and education resource.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 1 year experience or associate’s degree and 3 years’ experience or high school diploma or GED and 5 years’ experience in related field required.
At least one year experience providing employment services (job development, job coaching, supported employment).
Valid CA driver’s license and current auto insurance per contract requirements required.
Cultural competency understanding required.
A negative tuberculosis test (TB) is conducted under licensed medical supervision within 45 working days of hire or within 5 working days of employment and valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification upon hire or within 90-days of employment.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred.
Knowledge of employment needs of individuals with behavioral health needs preferred.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and EHR software preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide competitive employment and education services to clients, including outreach, engagement, vocational assessment, job development, job placement, and educational support.
Assist clients in identifying employment and/or education goals and support rapid movement toward those goals without requiring readiness or symptom stabilization as a prerequisite.
Conduct ongoing vocational assessments based on client interests, strengths, skills, work history, and educational goals, and use this information to guide job matching and service planning.
Develop and maintain relationships with employers, training programs, and educational institutions to create employment and education opportunities in the community.
Support clients in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment through individualized follow‑along supports, job coaching, and problem‑solving interventions.
Provide education and counseling regarding the impact of work or school on public benefits and assist clients in accessing benefits counseling as appropriate.
Provide field‑based services as required by program and client need, including meeting clients at job sites, schools, and other community locations.
Provide consultation, education, and guidance to team members regarding employment and education services, labor market trends, and employer engagement strategies.
Complete accurate and timely documentation of services and meet contractually required standards for billable employment and education services.
Maintain confidentiality of client information and comply with all agency policies and applicable regulations.
Participate in scheduled program meetings, supervision, and trainings as required.
Perform other relevant duties as assigned.