Employment Specialist

Interested in joining Milwaukee County? Milwaukee County is searching for authentic people who are out to change the game and bring their whole selves to work every day.
Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support Enforcement, Combined Court Operations, Sheriffs Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors in the Department on Aging, those with Disabilities, and Veterans Affairs. Our employees also remain committed to serve the cultural, human, recreational and social needs of the entire community.
Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!
Closing Date: March 10th, 2024, or upon receipt of 50 applicant submissions
Employment Specialist - CARS
Behavioral Health Services
Hourly Range: $18.39 - $27.58
JOB SUMMARY: The Employment Specialist position is responsible for helping individuals served by the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team explore, obtain, and retain competitive employment in the community. Employment is recognized as part of an individual's recovery process. Services are provided in a community setting and include ongoing symptom assessment as well as monitoring safety and risk factors.
JOB DUTIES:

• Provide Individual Placement Support (IPS) employment services to help individuals with behavioral health conditions find and maintain employment, following the principles of IPS: competitive employment, systemic job development, rapid job search, integrated services, benefits planning, and zero exclusion.
• Maintain strategic contact with businesses that offer jobs of interest to the consumer, support the consumer during the job search, and connect the consumer to a job. Must have 6 face to-face employer contacts per week on behalf of clients looking for work.
• Provide employment counseling and consultation to individual consumers, families, and other natural supports.
• Provide expertise related to employment services and IPS fidelity to ACT team, consumers, natural supports, and other key stakeholders.
• Complete clinically sound and timely documentation in the Electronic Medical Record of all services rendered on behalf of consumers served by the ACT team. Maintain a productivity level of 50% or greater.
• Participate in the Behavioral Health Services - CARS monthly IPS Learning Collaborative.
• Acts as a liaison with community resources, carry out rehabilitative and support functions, assist in the treatment, education, support, and consultations of consumers and their natural supports under clinical supervision of credentialed staff.
• Assist the ACT team in meeting consumer needs including assisting with coverage as needed. Oversee medication management, transport consumers to job interviews and appointments, and linkage with community resources when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current resident of the State of Wisconsin
• Current Wisconsin Driver's License and access to a reliable insured vehicle; both maintained throughout employment.
• Bachelor's degree in human services, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or closely related field is required.
• At least one (1) year of work experience providing services to individuals with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) in the community is required.
• Intermediate knowledge of all related computer and software applications such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Ability to travel within the community 75% of work time is required.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 lbs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: knowledge of counseling techniques, excellent communication skills, both oral and written; able to communicate clearly and listen carefully; knowledge of practices of IPS. Knowledge of interviewing procedures; Ability to work in a fast paced and active environment; Ability to work in various environments such as people's homes and weather conditions. Ability to maintain sensitive or confidential information.
NOTE: This ORIGINAL APPLICATION is open to qualified residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION
Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
Other details

• Job Family 15 - Other
• Job Function 2 Professionals
• Pay Type Hourly
• Travel Required Yes
• Travel % 75
• Required Education Bachelor's Degree

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