Mental Health Employment Generalist

HERO House NW•Bellevue, WA

About The Position

Mental Health Employment Associate Job Description This is a professional level direct service position with the members of Bellevue Clubhouse as the primary recipients of services. The Mental Health Employment Associate provides mental health rehabilitation and career development services to adults recovering from serious mental illness in a clubhouse model program ( www.clubhouse-intl.org ). Employment staff’s main responsibility is supporting members’ job searches, through working with them on job development and retention. Staff will also participate in general clubhouse engagement by helping members to experience the sense of belonging our program prioritizes, with a focus on their strengths, talents and interests. By joining the HERO House Bellevue team, you will find your place in a vibrant community that celebrates individual strengths, talents, and interests. As a Mental Health Employment Associate, you'll play a vital role in supporting adults recovering from mental illness in a nurturing and collaborative environment. OVERALL FUNCTION: Carries out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting members obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.

Requirements

Education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, or business.
Must be able to collaborate effectively within a team while also demonstrating the ability to take initiative and work independently when needed.
Must be proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, and the Internet.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the HERO House NW Liability Insurance Plan.
Must be able to pass a DMV and pre-employment security check (when applicable) and comply with the GWIK Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people with serious mental illness, providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
Prior experience working with people with disabilities and/or other disadvantaged populations is preferred
A completed Bachelor's Degree, 1-year related experience and/or training preferred.
Must have the ability to make presentations regarding supported employment to employers, business leaders, and VR counselors.

Responsibilities

Engages members and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment following IPS fidelity.
Assists members in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order to support members in making informed decisions about employment opportunities.
Refers members to benefits counseling, as needed.
Utilizes background information and work experience to assess members’ vocational functioning
Informing (researching along with) members of their rights as a person with a disability in the workplace
Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on their caseload.
Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts aim to understand business needs, explain program supports, and highlight member strengths relevant to the position.
Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist members in maintaining employment.
Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by members that may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
Utilizes a variety of outreach services (phone, email, visitation) as necessary to members when they appear to disengage from the service. Attends meetings with mental health teams and coordinates vocational services with team members between meetings.
Has face-to-face meetings with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (DVR) regularly to coordinate services for members.
Develops an individual employment plan with the member, mental health worker, and other treatment team providers and updates it quarterly.
Develops job support plans with the member.
Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets member at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, library, VR office, family home, etc. or takes member to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
Provides supported education, for members who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
Is responsible for a minimum of 12 job starts per year or maintaining 40% employment on caseload.
Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.