Employment Specialist

LA FAMILIA • Hayward, CA

2d • $24 - $25 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Specialist in the Working Wellness Program will carry out Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment services by assisting clients with mental health challenges to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their individualized vocational goals. This work is done in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary setting including involvement of mental health and/or substance use disorder counselor(s), case manager(s), as well as client family members or personal support individuals. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. This position is covered under the SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows: January 2027: 3% base pay increase Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

• Education and experience equivalent to undergraduate degree in mental/behavioral health, social services, or business.
• Experience working with diverse populations and people with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Valid CA Driver’s license required.
• Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish-speaking preferred.
• Experience providing employment services and knowledge of workforce development are strongly preferred.
• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred.
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the program’s proper implementation of IPS principles and the successful adherence to the IPS Fidelity scale
• Participate and complete initial and on-going IPS training as assigned by Supervisor to facilitate adherence to IPS model and principles.
• Work collaboratively with the Working Wellness team, which includes the Staff Therapist and Peer Support Specialist, to address barriers to employment of clients by implementing the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model.
• Responsible for maintaining a caseload of approximately 20 clients.
• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of securing and sustaining competitive employment.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities.
• Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
• Discusses client's preference for disclosure of mental health challenges to employers.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests of clients, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
• Conducts at least in person six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
• Writes job support plans in collaboration with clients and incorporates input from the other providers on the team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ evolving needs and preferences.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
• Provides community outreach services as necessary to support clients when they appear to disengage from services.
• Provides timely interventions: returns phone calls within 24 hours and responds to situations in a timely manner and in adherence to agency protocols.
• Contacts employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours.
• Follow up on job leads within 48 hours.
• Meets with clients within one week prior to the job start date and again within three days after the first day of employment.
• Participates in weekly Family Service Team meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Participates in face-to-face meetings with counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
• Develops an individual employment plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example: meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, family home, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED programs or colleges, etc.
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas
• Leads and collaborate on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Displays drive and purpose
• Manages self and adapts to change
• Practice self-awareness and continuous learning
• Practices cultural humility and cultural responsiveness when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, while practicing appropriate boundaries.
• Develop relationships with their teams and across the organization to foster cultural humility and cultural responsiveness, teamwork, and collaboration, ensuring positive outcomes for the organization both internally and externally.
• Utilize effective communication skills to listen and respond with empathy, while adopting a proactive and collaborative approach to drive innovative change. This approach should be sensitive to the organization's culture and its role within the community.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness.
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.
• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues.
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.
• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Vacation
• 15 paid holidays
• 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances
• Pet Plan Benefit: PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
• Flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
• Structured mentorship and ongoing training

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level