Employment Specialist

JOB PURPOSE: Under the supervision and direction of the Program Director the Employment Specialist performs all duties related to attaining and maintaining competitive employment for clients served by the Miracles Program. Performs professional duties involving job development including vocational assessment, vocational treatment planning, placement of those experiencing homeless in work and training programs to prepare them for employment and assisting with competitive employment searches as well as job coaching when appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The focus is to promote optimal occupation functioning of clients in the Miracles Program, in the context of prescribed job development interventions specified in the clients’ treatment plan. All duties performed should be consistent with the individual treatment plan and coordinated with the appropriate treatment team.
• Provide service to individuals whose employability or job adjustment is impaired by a physical, mental, emotional or other disability, or by a lack of basic education and job skills.
• Manage a case load of clients who are enrolled in the Miracles program and coordinate the vocational activities for the agency.
• The Employment Specialist will use his/her knowledge and skills to plan, organize and implement appropriate vocational services and/or referrals based on the needs of the client.
• The Employment Specialist will be knowledgeable with the evidence-based practices.
• The Employment Specialist must be able to assist clients in the development of independent and individualized vocational and rehabilitative goals.
• The Employment Specialist will assist in the development of a recovery treatment model service plan through utilization of assessment tools, individual and group counseling, and use of educational training programs.

• Promotes vocational activities and community collaboration through community meetings regarding employment, fairs/events, outreach education, presentations and other strategies.
• Assesses job seekers; coaches enrollees to determine needs, strengths, and barriers; assists/guides in developing individual Employment Plans, (training and job search plan), including potential training courses to support training such as computer training.
• Employs vocational accommodations techniques, job carving, job sharing and job coaching and any additional techniques to assist clients.
• Assists job seekers in seeking and working out job placements; refers to host agencies; contacts agencies to discuss and identify work to fit unique abilities, interests and skills of participant; negotiates and rotates placements to best fit each job seeker.
• Monitors clients progress in job seeking; contacts clients to review their plans and progress; coaches on job keeping skills; and documents activities and updates treatment plan as appropriate.
• Assists job seekers in navigating and accessing other community and government agency services to address varied needs that may interfere with employment and training.
• Documents services provided to clients including vocational activities and goals as well as contributes to other treatment plans as appropriate to increase success of clients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, required.
• Experience performing vocational assessments and developing vocational plans.
• Working knowledge of local employment practices and labor market conditions.
• Working knowledge of community college and other educational and training programs availability.
• Ability to assess, develop a vocational plan, and provide effective services that support program enrollees.
• This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with limited direction.
• Time management skills and a high level of judgment are necessary.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Valid driver’s license.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels, different areas of the SFH operations such as maintenance, kitchen, shelter, grounds, etc. and the community to engage with employers and vocational activities and organizations.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Siena Francis House provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Siena Francis House is a participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For information about the E-Verify program, please visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The work environment may have extended working hours, frequent time constraints, and shifting priorities, contributing to physical and mental stress. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The work will be performed in an office and in the community.