Employment Specialist - PACT

Mission Statement: Bay Cove Human Services partners with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential.

Job Summary: As a member of the Mental Health Services Division Employment Team, the Employment Specialist will carry out the services of the supported employment program by assisting participants in obtaining and maintaining employment that is consistent with their vocational goals and recovery. Your position as Employment Specialist supports Bay Cove's mission in your job to provide career exploration, vocational preparation skills, job development, job placement, job coaching, benefits planning and educational resource linking for program participants. You will have the ability to work independently and as part of a team in an outcomes-based program.

This is a non-exempt position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Essential Functions of Position:

• Engage participants and establish trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward competitive employment in community job settings.
• Interview and evaluate participants to access their vocational and educational goals and objectives.
• Provide participants with information and assistance regarding Social Security Work Incentives programs and benefits counseling.
• Assist participants to access and utilize educational and vocational opportunities in the community.
• Train ACCS staff on employment services as well as available community resources.
• Connect Persons in ACCS with community resources to provide job development and job placement services in preparation for FY 2020.
• Help participants write a career/rehabilitation plan that clearly reflects participant's goal(s), and monitor plan regularly to ensure that participants are meeting their goal(s).
• Facilitate and provide access to vocational and educational classes as needed.
• Provide advocacy for participants with employers and educational programs in the community as requested.
• Meet regularly with ACCS integrative team and/or community service providers to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Assist in all phases of job development.
• Educate participants on the pros and cons of disclosure as it relates to their vocational goals.
• Provide job coaching and educational support for program participants as needed.
• Provide intensive support to employed participants, including on-site support, as well as evening and weekend support as needed.
• Provide assertive outreach to Persons who are disengaging in services utilizing Peer Vocational Coaches when needed.
• Assist participants with resume and cover letter development, interview skills, financial aid applications, school and work applications and other educational and vocational forms as needed.
• Help Persons write a vocational plan that clearly reflects their personal goals.
• Staff the Computer Resource Center and provide assistance to participants as needed.
• Provide mobile services in the greater Boston area.
• Carry a caseload of 30 program participants depending on program capacity.
• Complete other tasks as assigned by your supervisor

Requirements for the position

Professional Characteristics:

• Must be able to pass a CORI (criminal record assessment).
• Bachelor's degree in rehabilitation, psychology, human services, business/marketing, communications or related field.
• Knowledge and understanding of the vocational and educational needs of adults with psychiatric disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a culturally diverse population of clients, other care providers, family and community members.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of multidisciplinary and cross functional teams.
• Ability to work as an effective change agent.
• Professional documentation and communication skills, as well as demonstrated organizational skills.
• Ability to negotiate and resolve differences.
• Ability to function under pressure in a fast-paced human service environment.
• Ability to be flexible, open and responsive to ongoing industry changes.
• Ability to articulate and communicate Mental Health Services mission and strategic direction in a consistent and enthusiastic manner to departmental staff.
• Ability to identify opportunities and obstacles and develop effective, creative solutions to pursue opportunities.
• Ability to travel throughout the Greater Boston area with personal vehicle or on public transportation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in an outcomes based program.
• Has adequate computer literacy to perform agency functions.
• Excellent writing skills to prepare career plans, assessments and reporting.
• Use of personal cellular telephone for work communication.
• Valid driver's license preferred.
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Mission Traits:

• Utilizes a flexible and responsible work style that meets evolving needs of the agency.
• Works with integrity and respects the dignity and value of all individuals.
• Exhibits mission through job knowledge, pride in work role, and advocacy.
• Promotes diversity and inclusion of all individuals.
• Works in a collaborative, compassionate manner with stakeholder/ partners

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