Supported Employment Specialist

United Counseling and Support Services•Upper Marlboro, MD

11h•$38,000 - $48,000•Onsite

About The Position

Mettle Works is a behavioral health program that provides individualized, client-centered services to help people with behavioral health, alcohol, or other drug diagnoses obtain and maintain competitive employment. The Supported Employment Specialist builds collaborative relationships with clients and supports their employment goals through individualized vocational planning, job exploration, job development, and ongoing employment support. The role coordinates services with clients’ mental health treatment teams, families (with client permission), employers, and state Vocational Rehabilitation counselors. At least 50% of scheduled work hours are spent in the community, with additional duties including office-based group sessions and mandatory meetings.

Requirements

Education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in mental health, rehabilitation counseling, or business.
High school diploma.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to work effectively as a team player.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree preferred.
Experience working with people with mental illness.
Experience providing employment services.
Knowledge of the world of work.

Responsibilities

Engage clients and build trusting, collaborative relationships focused on competitive employment in community settings.
Help clients understand how employment may affect entitlements such as SSI and Medicaid; refer clients to benefits counseling and assist with reporting earnings as needed.
Assess clients’ vocational skills and preferences on an ongoing basis using background information and work experiences.
With client permission, provide information and support to family members and discuss clients’ preferences about disclosing mental health status to employers.
Help clients explore jobs and careers through meetings with workers, managers, or academic advisors; job observations; and job fairs.
Conduct individualized job development and job-search activities in accordance with IPS supported employment principles and procedures, averaging six employer contacts per week.
Learn about employers’ needs, describe program supports, and present client strengths relevant to job openings.
Provide individualized follow-along support to help clients maintain employment; develop and adjust job support plans with clients and incorporate input from family and the mental health team when authorized.
Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients and, when appropriate, negotiate job accommodations and employer follow-along contact.
Conduct outreach when clients appear to disengage, provide timely interventions, return client phone calls within 24 hours, and visit employers about job loss or problems within 24 hours.
Follow up on job leads within 48 hours; meet with clients within one week before job starts and within three days after job starts.
Participate in weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicate with team members between meetings to coordinate vocational and mental health services.
Meet face-to-face with state Vocational Rehabilitation counselors at least monthly and collaborate with counselors between meetings.
Maintain a minimum caseload of 15 clients efficiently.
Develop individual employment and/or education plans with clients, incorporating input from the mental health team and family members with client permission.
Spend 50% or more of scheduled work hours in the community, meeting clients at locations such as homes, workplaces, coffee shops, libraries, One-Stop offices, and VR offices; help clients follow up on applications and visit GED programs and colleges.
Reach out to clients twice per week.
Attend mandatory meetings every Tuesday and Thursday.
Conduct group sessions in the office.
Complete additional tasks as needed.