Summary of Job: The Employment Specialist II is responsible for helping participants achieve a meaningful role and self-sufficiency in the community through employment or volunteer work. The Employment Specialist II is responsible for providing support in the development of occupational goals and employment plans. The Employment Specialist II also works with employers and participants to create and support positive employment outcomes. The Employment Specialist II will be responsible for completing clinical assessments and treatment plans under the supervision of a Behavioral Health Professional.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Review referral documents for relevant background information, identified strengths, needs, and service interests.
- Assist individuals in identifying needs, strengths and barriers to achieving stated career goals.
- Assist individuals in navigating barriers to employment, e.g., education, housing, childcare, transportation, past or current legal issues, etc., and refers individuals to community resources as necessary.
- Collaboratively develop a written individualized education and/or employment service plan with each individual.
- Complete clinical assessments and treatment plans under the supervision of a Behavioral Health Professional. See “Addendum” section for Arizona.
- Conduct job seeking skills training, either in a group setting or on an individual basis.
- Refer individuals to additional resources for job training, skills training, educational services and other community resources as needed.
- Assist individuals in career exploration to identify potential field(s) of employment by completing labor market surveys, informational interviews, and research on community employers.
- Assist individuals in learning how to complete resumes, job applications, employer assessments, prepare for interviews.
- Support the individual to receive personalized benefits planning to ensure that each individual has accurate information about the effect of earned income upon their benefits.
- Establish effective partnerships with community employers to include consultation and education that create appropriate job opportunities.
- Educate prospective employers about various disabilities and vocational implications, use of assistive devices, job accommodations and Work Opportunity Tax Credits available to them.
- Provide comprehensive job development and placement services following the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of Supported Employment and other best practices.
- Provide ongoing job coaching and support to assist participants transitioning into the workforce.
- Conduct job analysis, providing consultation and recommendations for job modification, when appropriate.
- Assist individuals in reviewing and reinforcing work safety skills and employer expectations.
- Track achievement of employment-related milestones and develop outcome reports.
- Timely completion of case notes and progress reports to referral sources
- Act as liaison to funding agencies and referring agencies.
- Collaboratively work with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, clinical behavioral health teams and other support teams on a regular basis.
- Assure that rights of individuals assigned are protected.
- Support individuals in developing self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills to enhance overall independence.
- Advocate on behalf of individuals, when needed, related to case management, service collaboration, and resource development.
- Understand and adhere to RI International compliance standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
- Bachelor’s Degree in a behavioral health or related field from an accredited college or university required in addition to at least 1 year of experience providing vocational services in a behavioral health setting; or Associate’s Degree in a behavioral health or related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for Bachelor’s Degree if candidate has at least 2 years of experience providing vocational services in a behavioral health setting.
- Candidate must be credentialed to complete behavioral health assessments and treatment plans within 6 months of start date either by completing BHT II training or by having Independent Licensure in good standing in an applicable Behavioral Health field.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and email/internet.
- Ability to learn to use virtual platforms, electronic health Record and other position-specific applications.
- Ability to problem solve.
- Effective communication skills.
- Must have a current Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the AZ Department of Public Safety or obtain one within 90 days of hire.
- This position requires working knowledge of Vocational Rehabilitation services, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of Supported Employment, DB101, Social Security disability benefits/work incentives, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, and local Regional Behavioral Health Authority deliverables.
- Preferred: Having a working knowledge of the role of Peer Support in the Behavioral Health field and basic principles of Peer Support/person-centered service delivery.
Driving Requirements:
- Driving and having a vehicle that can be used for transporting participants to employment-related meetings, interviews, etc. as needed. Must meet all requirements outlined in RI International driving policy.
- This position requires meeting participants in the office, out in the community, by phone and/or by virtual platform.
A Direct Service Competency Checklist must be completed as part of the new hire onboarding process.
Physical Demands:
May include work close to the eyes and substantial motions of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, handling, finger dexterity; eye-hand-foot coordination, use of corrected vision; color vision; use of auditory senses. May be required to lift up to twenty (20) pounds.
Work Environment
May work in an office environment or behavioral health facility. May have contact with individuals who are agitated and/or confused. Work may include travel throughout the geographic region.
ADDENDUM – Arizona
Education
Required: Bachelor’s Degree in a behavioral health or related field from an accredited college or university required in addition to at least 1 year of experience providing vocational services in a behavioral health setting; or Associate’s Degree in a behavioral health or related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for Bachelor’s Degree if candidate has at least 2 years of experience providing vocational services in a behavioral health setting.
Licensure
Certification
Misc. Requirement
Required: Must have a current Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the AZ Department of Public Safety or obtain one within 90 days of hire.
Required: Candidate must be credentialed to complete behavioral health assessments and treatment plans within 6 months of start date either by completing BHT II training or by having Independent Licensure in good standing in an applicable Behavioral Health field.
Required: This position requires working knowledge of Vocational Rehabilitation services, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of Supported Employment, DB101, Social Security disability benefits/work incentives, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, and local Regional Behavioral Health Authority deliverables.
Required: This position requires meeting participants in the office, out in the community, by phone and/or by virtual platform.
Required: Driving and having a vehicle that can be used for transporting participants to employment-related meetings, interviews, etc. as needed. Must meet all requirements outlined in RI International driving policy.
Preferred: Having a working knowledge of the role of Peer Support in the Behavioral Health field and basic principles of Peer Support/person-centered service delivery.
ADDENDUM – California
Education
Some locations may require successful completion of a Peer Specialist Training approved by the state or county.
Licensure
Certification
Misc. Requirement
- Preferred: Having a working knowledge of Department of Rehabilitation services, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of Supported Employment, and Social Security disability benefits/work incentives. Having a working knowledge of the role of Peer Support in the Behavioral Health field and basic principles of Peer Support/person-centered service delivery
- Some locations may require driving and having a vehicle that can be used for transporting participants to employment-related meetings. If so, must meet all requirements outlined in RI International driving policy.
- Some locations may require that candidate must be credentialed to complete behavioral health assessments and treatment plans within 6 months of start date either by completing BHT II training or by having Independent Licensure in good standing in an applicable Behavioral Health field.
ADDENDUM – Delaware
Education
Licensure
Certification
Misc. Requirement
ADDENDUM – North Carolina
Education
Licensure
Certification
Misc. Requirement
ADDENDUM – Washington
Education
- .
Licensure
Certification
Misc. Requirement
Mon-Fri 8-4:30. May have to flex hours dependent on need.
