Community Employment Specialist

Job Description
Schedule:Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Salary:$43,000 / year
Sign On Bonus:$1000; $500 upon completion of 30 days, $500 upon completion of 6 months
The CIES Employment Specialist (CIES ES) assists with persons served with obtaining and maintain employment and/or education consistent with their vocational goals and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The CIE ES provides direct services, job development and placement services, and referrals to vocational skill training entitities dependent on the needs and preference of persons served.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Participates as a member of Integrated Resource Team (IRT) at the direction of MRC VRC. Delivers CIES service components, as identified on the Individualized Plan for Employment targeted at job development and placement, vocational support, skills building, etc. for Person Served (PS) employment and/or educational needs, if needed.
• Conducts job development and job search activities individualized to the preference of each person served.
• As needed, collaborates with local CWIC services to help Person Served obtain information about their entitlements (e.g., SSI, SSDI, health insurance, etc) and how these will be affected by employment so that Person Served may make financially-informed decisions about employment opportunities.
• Assesses Person Served vocational functioning using background information and work history.
• Reviews Person Served preference regarding disclosure of disability status to employers, including possible costs and benefits and specifics to be disclosed. Provides assistance with job search regardless of Person Served preferences regarding disclosure (i.e., provides support without employer contact when PS chooses not to disclose).
• Collaborates with IRT members to provide individualized wrap around and follow-along supports to assist Person Served in maintaining employment, following the preferences of the Person Served.
• Provides education and support to employer as agreed upon by Person Served, which may included negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with employer.
• With permission, provides education and support to family members/other supports about Person Served work and gathers input about their skills, interests, strengths, and ideas for support that may be needed.
• Participates in Adult Clinical Community Support (ACCS) staff meetings to coordinate and integrate CIES vocational services with ACCS when applicable, and as needed.
• Employees trauma informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches and skills training techniques in the work.
• Provides thorough, thoughtful, and timely documentation and data collection for all Persons Served using prescribed MRC forms and practice.
• Participates as member of Employment Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup led by Employment Services Director for continuous professional role competency development, mentoring, and learning.
• Participates in regional Employment Collaborative Job Developer Network meetings.
• Assists Person Served to access assistive technology and adaptive equipment to enhance their employment skills.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!
Our comprehensive and generous benefits package includes:

• A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan
• First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more. Plus, we offer a generous employer contribution toward the cost of medical insurance!
• Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
• Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care) Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
• Generous paid time off (Employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week):
  
  • 15 vacation days per year
  • 11 paid holidays per year
  • 10 sick days per year
  • 3 personal days per year
• Educational Assistance and Remission Programs
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
• Other generous benefits including discounted YMCA memberships, access to discounted movie tickets and more!

About Us
Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers
My Vinfen. My Community. My Job.
Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor's in human services preferred.
• Experience in vocational rehabilitation programs preferred.
• Experienced direct care staff preferred.
• Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport PS.
• Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatriconditions.