Mobile Employment Specialist (MES)

Position Title: Mobile Employment Specialist

Department: Supported Employment

Reports to: Supported Employment and Supported Education Director

Essential Functions:

The Mobile Employment Specialist (MES) supports people in recovery from a substance use disorder or with a co-occurring mental health disorder to find competitive employment, using a proven evidence-based practice. The MES carries a caseload at any point in time of up to 25 individuals who live in transitional housing in Recovery Houses funded by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). The duration of engagement with each client is brief as the primary goal is to connect individuals with employment to help sustain recovery.

Scope:

The MES identifies opportunities for employment for assigned clients and provides supports necessary to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining his/her/their own goals related to employment and sustaining recovery. The Specialist creates relationships with local area businesses to develop jobs for the clients. As a recovery focused counselor, the MES helps clients create achievable recovery goals and maintains communication with staff at the Recovery Houses regarding client progress and related barriers. Special focus is given to individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder. The Specialist takes a baseline assessment for each client during the intake process and a six month and discharge assessment as needed. The Specialist has the use of a Laurel House vehicle dedicated to the MES job, facilitating meeting clients at Recovery Houses or in the community as preferred. A work cell phone and a lap top with camera, to facilitate zoom meetings as needed and work in the community, are also provided.

Job Criteria

  • Provide vocational counseling through in-person and virtual periodic meetings for caseload of up to 25 individuals at any point in time who are in recovery and living in DMHAS funded Recovery Housing. Creatively match clients with job opportunities.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with employers in the community on a weekly basis to develop job opportunities to meet client employment needs.
  • Provide guidance to clients related to their employment goal on job applications, resume/cover letter writing, interview preparation and job searching.
  • Maintain communication with staff at Recovery Houses regarding client progress and related barriers.
  • Provide direct service in accordance with contractual guidelines (DMHAS) to meet or exceed outcome fidelity measures.
  • Maintain data entry for client meetings, goals, outcomes and job development notes in SalesForce database and track baseline assessments and 6 month surveys in MES tracker.
  • Facilitate transportation (agency car assigned to the Specialist) to work site if needed for first day on the job, with a goal to transition client to self-sufficiency.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently; self-motivated and takes initiative.
  • Ability to work well as a member of the Laurel House team, drawing on support from colleagues as needed and supporting Laurel House’s mission to help individuals achieve and sustain mental health to lead fulfilling lives.
  • 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 maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.
  • 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.
  • Lived experience and successful ongoing recovery with a substance use disorder is a plus, but not required.
  • Certification as Recovery Coach or Recovery Support Specialist or relevant education and/or certification, a plus. (Note: Laurel House will pay for cost and time for certification on the job, if selected candidate wants to pursue certification.)
  • Bachelors in social work, mental health counseling, human services, or rehabilitative services such as employment, education, or related field.
  • Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience.
  • Lived experience and successful ongoing recovery with a substance use disorder not required, but a plus.
  • 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 early intervention, social inclusion 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 racial equity and social justice, and to making mental health services accessible to all.