Vocational Employment Specialist

Wage: $23 - $28.50 per hour

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm + participation in the rotation for after-hours crisis call coverage

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Flex Spending Account
• 403(b) Retirement
• Education Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation & Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Longevity awards after 5 years of service

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Vocational Employment Specialist provides employment and vocational services to adults with serious mental illness and with co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. The service to consumers will be to expedite, facilitate, and/or coordinate their total recovery process. This person makes appropriate referrals to established employers in coordination with the clients' desires, work history and employment goals. At least one day per week is dedicated to developing additional employment leads for clients. Treatment is provided primarily in the community at a location that best meets the needs of the clients served.

• Coaches and supports clients to develop daily living, job interviewing and basic professional skills including assistance with personal hygiene and grooming, securing appropriate clothing, wake-up calls, resume creation, and transportation to assist clients to obtain and maintain employment
• Uses motivational interviewing and other skills to increase clients' interest in work or education, including articulating how it can improve various aspects of their recovery
• Conducts assessments to determine clients' work and educational histories, strengths, interests, and possible barriers to assist with developing an individual placement and support plan to help clients achieve their goals
• Develops relationships with area employers and educational institutions to establish appropriate referrals for job placement or education enrollment, inform employers and schools about available services, and assists with resolving client employment concerns that may arise.
• Assists in the development of employment program plans and strategies for clients within the program and follows clients while they are employed, assuring that all vocational endeavors align with established policies and procedures for fidelity to the PACT treatment model
• Attends all team meetings, consultation calls, and required trainings
• Writes appropriate documentation of vocational/employment services provided
• Works with the PACT Program Manager to update & develop appropriate guidelines, and procedures for vocational/employment support.
• Maintains positive relationships with other community resources and providers to coordinate treatment and initiate referrals to other resources when appropriate
• Provide after-hours call coverage on a rotating basis
• Performs other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this clinical position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in social services, vocational rehabilitation, or a related field

Experience

• 1 year experience in coordination of employment and/or vocational services
• Prior experience working with individuals with serious mental illness preferred

Special Skills

• Electronic Medical Records skills (EMR)
• Good interpersonal skills
• Possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to provide service in a culturally competent manner
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently, and as a team member
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community
• Ability to conduct client home visits as needed
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required

Licenses, Registration or Certification

• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration
• Valid Washington State driver's license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required