Vocational Specialist

The Well NE•Norfolk, NE

6h•$0 - $58,000

About The Position

The Vocational Specialist helps ACT participants pursue employment and education goals through individualized, community-based services. The position implements Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment and Education as part of The Well’s multidisciplinary ACT team. Working from participant choice and strengths, the Specialist supports prompt searches for competitive employment or preferred education opportunities, builds relationships with employers and training programs, coordinates benefits planning, and provides ongoing support after participants begin work or school. The Specialist participates in shared-caseload and daily meeting practices and coordinates vocational goals with each participant’s recovery plan. The role integrates employment and education support with behavioral health services, peer support, housing, benefits, and other participant-selected goals. Services follow IPS and ACT practices, Nebraska requirements, The Well’s policies, and the approved grant work plan. The Specialist tracks grant-related effort and service information to support accurate cost and outcome records. Services are delivered in community settings, including workplaces, schools, training programs, homes, and other participant-selected locations. The position may participate in ACT crisis or after-hours coverage when assigned and trained. Regular sitting, standing, walking, and computer use are required, as is the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally. A valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation are required; mileage is reimbursed at the federal rate.

Requirements

A degree in vocational rehabilitation, human services, counseling, psychology, education, business, workforce development, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Experience in supported employment, vocational services, workforce development, education support, or behavioral health is preferred.
Complete IPS- and ACT-specific training after hire and maintain required training and certifications.
Ability to build trust with participants and support employment or education goals chosen by the participant.
Ability to develop relationships with employers, educational programs, vocational rehabilitation, workforce agencies, and community partners.
Clear communication, appropriate professional boundaries, and responsible handling of confidential information.
Organization, resourcefulness, persistence, and ability to manage field-based work, documentation, follow-up, and changing priorities.
Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team while managing independent community contacts.
Use of person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approaches.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and communications simultaneously.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to learn donor management or CRM systems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to assist with fundraising materials, donor communications, and event coordination.
Self-motivated, dependable, and goal-oriented; comfortable working independently and collaboratively.
Adaptability in a fast-paced nonprofit environment, creative thinking, and strong problem-solving skills.
Passion for behavioral health, community impact, and nonprofit work.
Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Degree in vocational rehabilitation, human services, counseling, psychology, education, business, workforce development, or a related field.
Experience in supported employment, vocational services, workforce development, education support, or behavioral health.

Responsibilities

Provide IPS Supported Employment and Education services to ACT participants interested in working or pursuing education, consistent with participant choice and the approved ACT model.
Learn participants’ employment and education preferences, strengths, skills, work histories, interests, support needs, and goals, and help translate these into practical next steps.
Begin rapid, preference-based searches for competitive employment or participant-selected education opportunities without requiring separate readiness or pre-vocational steps first.
Support job development, applications, resumes, interviews, employer conversations, enrollment, and other steps toward participants’ chosen goals.
Provide flexible, individualized community-based support and adapt assistance as preferences, work or school demands, and support needs change.
Build and maintain relationships with local employers, colleges, training providers, vocational rehabilitation, workforce agencies, and other community partners.
Learn about job openings, hiring practices, workplace expectations, education options, accommodations, and resources that may benefit participants.
Engage employers and education partners professionally while protecting participant privacy and sharing information only with appropriate consent and releases.
Connect participants with employer supports, vocational rehabilitation, college and training resources, transportation, and other services that support their goals.
Help participants understand how work or education may interact with public benefits and income supports, and coordinate individualized benefits counseling or technical assistance when needed.
Connect participants with qualified benefits specialists and agencies for questions about SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, housing assistance, or other benefits; do not provide specialized benefits advice beyond training and role scope.
Coordinate benefits planning with participants’ recovery plans, employment or education goals, and other ACT services.
Help participants identify and address practical barriers involving income, benefits, transportation, childcare, equipment, clothing, or schedules as allowed by program and grant requirements.
Continue support after participants begin work or school through follow-up, problem-solving, coaching, and coordination based on participant preferences and needs.
Help participants address workplace or education concerns, communicate with employers or school staff when authorized, explore accommodations, and plan for job retention or continued enrollment.
Coordinate with the ACT team when symptoms, health, housing, substance use, medication needs, or other factors affect work or school goals.
Support participant-directed career development and advancement, including job changes, additional training, or returning to education.
Participate in daily ACT meetings and shared-caseload coordination, communicating employment and education goals, progress, barriers, and follow-up assignments to the team.
Coordinate vocational services with participants’ individualized treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery plans and with mental health, substance use, medical, nursing, peer, housing, benefits, and case management services.
Collaborate with the ACT Team Lead and multidisciplinary team members to keep services coordinated and incorporate employment and education goals into recovery planning and service intensity.
Deliver services in community settings selected with participants, including workplaces, schools, training programs, and homes.
Participate in ACT crisis or after-hours coverage when assigned and trained; follow participant-specific crisis plans and agency procedures, and contact the ACT Team Lead or licensed staff when clinical or safety concerns exceed the Specialist’s role.
Follow field-safety procedures, maintain regular communication with the team during community work, and promptly report safety concerns, incidents, and changes in participant status.
Support flexible scheduling and team coordination to provide timely, persistent, and person-centered services.
Complete timely and accurate EHR documentation for participant contacts, employment and education services, employer or school coordination, benefits planning, follow-up, and progress toward goals.
Maintain required releases of information and protect participant confidentiality in employer, school, benefits, and community contacts.
Track employment and education activity, service delivery, participant outcomes, and other data required by The Well, the ACT program, and the grant; coordinate with the Program Assistant and evaluator to address missing or incomplete information.
Accurately document grant-related time and effort according to approved staffing allocations and agency processes, without charging the same time or service to multiple funding sources.
Participate in supervision, fidelity preparation, staff training, case review, and continuous quality improvement activities related to IPS and ACT; support adherence to TMACT expectations and approved procedures.
Follow The Well’s policies and procedures, including those concerning attendance, timekeeping, vehicle safety, field safety, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
Complete required orientations, trainings, meetings, supervision, and performance reviews, and remain current in required credentials and certifications.
Represent The Well professionally with participants, employers, schools, families, and community partners, and support outreach and referral education as assigned.
Perform other related duties consistent with the position, training, and professional scope.