Supported Employment and Education Specialist

The Centers • Cleveland, OH

22h • Hybrid

About The Position

The IPS Supported Employment & Education Specialist delivers Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services by helping individuals with mental health challenges obtain and maintain competitive, community-based employment and education aligned with their strengths, interests, and goals. This role is highly community-focused, with approximately 65% of time spent in the field engaging job seekers, employers, academic institutions, families, and service partners. The specialist is responsible for managing a dedicated caseload, driving program outcomes, and meeting revenue goals via Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) billing mechanisms.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent only.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in human services, customer service, sales, or workforce development required.
• Exceptional community engagement, communication, time management, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license, active auto insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a clean driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Higher starting pay tiers are available for candidates with additional years of experience in serious mental illness, vocational rehabilitation, or employment coaching.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting, collaborative relationships with job seekers in community settings preferred by the individual (e.g., homes, libraries, schools, businesses).
• Assess vocational and educational skills, interests, and preferences through real-world interactions and employer exploration.
• Develop individualized Career Profiles and employment/education plans with input from clients, mental health teams, and natural supports.
• Facilitate discussions regarding client preferences for mental health disclosure to employers.
• Provide safe transportation for clients in personal vehicle as needed for vocational and educational activities.
• Conduct individualized job searches based on client interests following core IPS principles.
• Complete a minimum of six (6) in-person employer contacts per week to build professional networks and discover unadvertised opportunities.
• Educate employers about available workplace supports and, with client consent, negotiate accommodations.
• Assist clients directly with job applications, follow-up visits, and informational interview practice.
• Provide individualized job support before and after the job starts, utilizing workplace or community-based setups according to client preference.
• Meet with individuals within one week before their job start and within three days after their job start.
• Develop, monitor, and adapt job support plans collaboratively to ensure long-term job retention.
• Conduct proactive outreach and re-engagement strategies if an individual disengages from services.
• Help individuals understand how employment affects benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid) and connect them to certified benefits counseling.
• Support education and training goals through mainstream academic and certificate programs.
• Assist with FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, financial aid navigation, and procurement of required tools/equipment.
• Provide physical campus tours, coordinate disability services, assist with study planning, and negotiate academic accommodations.
• Support IEP, 504, and school transition meetings for youth or adult students when applicable.
• Integrate vocational services by participating actively in weekly mental health treatment team meetings.
• Coordinate services with state Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) vocational rehabilitation counselors, including monthly in-person meetings and progress reports.
• Maintain timely professional communication, including returning all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.
• Successfully guide clients through OOD benchmarks, capturing and submitting rigorous documentation for job placement, retention, and closure milestones.
• Consistently meet or exceed monthly and quarterly revenue targets through OOD fee-for-service benchmarks and other billable program activities.
• Maintain required program employment outcomes, including targeted job starts and caseload employment rates defined by program standards.
• Complete all electronic health records and billing documentation accurately within agency-mandated timelines to prevent billing delays or denials.
• Other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED