POSITION SUMMARY:

As a member of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team, this program is strength based, focused on recovery and supports individuals to reach their highest potential and attain competitive employment as established in their service plans. Support the team in providing direct service to job seekers, to remove and/or overcome barriers, and support job success to the newly hired. Carries out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting clients to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.

• Manages a caseload of 20 clients referred by the mental health teams.

• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.

• Follows CalAim/MediCal documentation standards and documents all activities according to program requirements for billing purposes.

• Assesses clients' vocational functioning on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers. Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.

• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.

• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.

• Writes job support plans with clients and incorporating input from the mental health team.

• Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.

• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer.

• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.

• Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. For example, returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follows up on job leads within 48 hours. Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.

• Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.

SUMMARY OF OTHER DUTIES:

• Reinforce and counsel on the use of appropriate work skills and habits such as grooming, job behavior, and communication with co-workers.

• Complete intake and assessment documents.

• Perform additional vocational services in this contract as assigned by the Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work or Occupational Therapy or related field or equivalent professional experience in this field.

• At least one (1) year experience in the educational or counseling of people with Mental Health disabilities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and on a team

• Willingness to embrace change

• Computer skills using Windows

• Confidentiality: Job requires and adheres to California law regarding Welfare and Institution Code 5328

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work at a desk/workstation for extended periods of time.

• Ability to use typical office equipment (computer, telephone, fax machine, etc.)

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs on an occasional basis.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Criminal background check via livescan fingerprint

• Must have TB test performed and submit results (if applicable)

• Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster status

• Automobile, valid driver’s license and auto insurance per agency policy; or have access to reliable transportation

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position will be done in an office setting.

HOURS AND OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Standard office hours which are Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00AM to 5:00PM.

• Occasional overtime may be required.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency's operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons seeking employment are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.

***When applying, please note that you saw the job posted on the NOVAworks Job Board. If you need help with your resumé, please see a NOVAworks Career Advisor.