Supported Employment Specialist

Position Title: Supported Employment Specialist

Department: Employment

Reports to: Supported Employment Manager

Essential Functions:

The Employment Specialist supports people in mental health recovery to find, get and keep competitive employment of their choice, utilizing a proven evidence-based practice. The Specialist carries a caseload of 20 program participants at any point in time.

Scope:

Identify opportunities for competitive employment for assigned clients and provide the supports necessary to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining his/her/their own goals related to employment. 50% of the time is spent in the community, meeting with program participants or meeting with prospective employers for job development.

Job Criteria

Position Responsibilities
  • Provide vocational counseling and career exploration, while focusing on an individual’s well-being, for a caseload of 20 individuals in recovery through weekly meetings in the community, at the Resource Center in Stamford, or via zoom.
  • Help program participants build skills related to their employment goal, including resume/cover letter writing, interview preparation and job searching.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with employers and prospective employers in the community to develop job opportunities to meet the needs and employment preferences of program participants.
  • Maintain data entry for client meetings, goals, progress notes, milestones and outcomes in SalesForce database and recovery goal plans in client charts.
  • Provide direct service in accordance with contractual guidelines (Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services – DMHAS) to meet or exceed outcome fidelity measures.
  • Collaborate with Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) for additional vocational services and consultation as needed for particular clients.
  • Maintain communication with other providers on the individual’s mental health support team, collaborating with clinicians, case managers, care coordinators, educational representatives and employers.
  • Facilitate transportation to work site as needed (agency car available) during the initial hiring process for the client and transition client to self-sufficiency.
  • Ability to work well as a member of a team.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently; self-motivated and takes initiative.
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Good oral and written communication skills.
  • Outgoing, engaging clients in their own recovery with active listening and empathy.
  • Ability to motivate and inspire others and lead by example.
  • Ability to promote community-based independence through skill building, participant engagement and constructive feedback as appropriate.
  • Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with program participants.
  • Ability to document according to state and federal guidelines and comply with policies (e.g., HIPAA) and procedures.
  • Computer literacy in use of MS Office products, email, internet and familiarity with standard database applications. Ability to use video conferencing tools such as Zoom and TEAMS to conduct virtual meetings.
  • Proficiency in Spanish a plus but not required.
  • Bachelors in social work, mental health counseling, human services, or rehabilitative services such as employment, education, or related field.
  • Minimum of 1-year relevant work experience.
  • Must successfully pass the pre-employment drug test and background check.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a safe driving record.

To apply for this position please send your cover letter and resume to coverlettersandresumes@laurelhouse.net

Laurel House, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families achieve and sustain mental health to lead fulfilling lives in the community. Our core purpose is social inclusion, early intervention and recovery. Laurel House is an equal opportunity employer. Laurel House and www.rtor.org, a free service of Laurel House connecting families to expert mental health treatment, are committed to the advancement of social justice and racial equity, and to making mental health services accessible to all.