Supported Employment and Education Specialist

The Centers•Cleveland, OH

110d

About The Position

The IPS Supported Employment and Education Specialist delivers Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services to help people with mental health challenges obtain and maintain competitive, community-based employment and education aligned with their strengths, interests, and goals. Approximately 65% of the role is spent in the community engaging with job seekers, employers, academic institutions, families, and service partners. The specialist manages a dedicated caseload, advances program outcomes, and meets revenue goals through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) billing mechanisms. The role involves building collaborative relationships with job seekers, assessing vocational and educational interests and skills, developing individualized career profiles and plans, and providing individualized employment, education, and job-retention support. The specialist also works with employers, schools, families, mental health treatment teams, and OOD vocational rehabilitation counselors. Responsibilities include supporting benefits counseling and educational access, completing required program and billing documentation, and meeting OOD milestone, revenue, and employment outcome expectations. The position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. It includes regular speaking and listening, frequent sitting, standing, walking, using hands and fingers, and reaching with hands and arms. The specialist may need to transport clients using a personal vehicle and may travel or work outside normal hours for meetings, presentations, trainings, and other events. Employment with The Centers is at will.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent; the posting specifies this education level only.
At least two years of experience in human services, customer service, sales, or workforce development.
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

Additional experience in serious mental illness, vocational rehabilitation, or employment coaching may qualify candidates for higher starting pay tiers.

Responsibilities

Build trusting, collaborative relationships with job seekers in community settings preferred by the individual, such as homes, libraries, schools, and businesses.
Assess vocational and educational skills, interests, and preferences through real-world interactions and employer exploration.
Develop individualized Career Profiles and employment or education plans with input from clients, mental health teams, and natural supports.
Facilitate discussions about clients’ preferences for disclosing mental health information to employers.
Provide safe transportation for clients in a personal vehicle as needed for vocational and educational activities.
Conduct individualized job searches based on client interests and core IPS principles.
Complete at least six in-person employer contacts per week to build professional networks and identify unadvertised opportunities.
Educate employers about workplace supports and, with client consent, negotiate accommodations.
Assist clients with job applications, follow-up visits, and informational interview practice.
Provide individualized job support before and after job starts, in workplace or community settings 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 support long-term job retention.
Conduct proactive outreach and re-engagement when an individual disengages from services.
Help individuals understand how employment affects SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid benefits and connect them with certified benefits counseling.
Support education and training goals through mainstream academic and certificate programs.
Assist with FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, financial aid navigation, and obtaining required tools and 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.
Participate actively in weekly mental health treatment team meetings to integrate vocational services.
Coordinate services with OOD vocational rehabilitation counselors, including monthly in-person meetings and progress reports.
Return phone calls and emails within 24 hours.
Guide clients through OOD benchmarks and capture and submit documentation for job placement, retention, and closure milestones.
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 electronic health records and billing documentation accurately within agency timelines.
Perform other duties as assigned.