Employment Specialist

About the Program Opportunity Knocks is a full service partnership (FSP) treating adults struggling with severe mental health disorders along with a current/recent legal history and are at risk of being homeless or currently homeless.

The Employment Specialist provides Individual Placement and Support (IPS) supported employment and education services by assisting individuals/participants to obtain and maintain competitive employment and/or mainstream education that is consistent with their preferences, strengths, vocational goals, and recovery plans. The Specialist functions as an integrated member of the treatment team and provides services primarily in community settings, including participant-preferred locations, employer sites, educational settings, and other natural community environments.

• Engage participants in community settings such as homes, libraries, schools, coffee shops, businesses, worksites, parks, and other locations selected by the participant to build a collaborative relationship focused on employment and/or education goals.
• Complete and update a Career Profile or comparable vocational/education assessment by learning about the participant’s work history, education history, preferences, strengths, skills, support needs, disclosure preferences, and benefits considerations.
• Develop individualized employment and/or education plans that reflect participant preferences and incorporate input from the treatment team and natural supports when the participant provides permission.
• Begin job search, job exploration, or education exploration activities promptly based on participant preference, rather than requiring lengthy pre-vocational readiness activities.
• Conduct individualized job development and job search activities directed toward positions that align with the participant’s interests, strengths, skills, and unique circumstances.
• Conduct a minimum of six in-person employer contacts per week in the community to build relationships with hiring managers/business owners, learn business needs, identify employment opportunities, and describe available supports .
• Support participants with applications, resumes, interviews, employer communication, onboarding, and follow-up based on participant preference.
• Provide individualized job supports to assist participants in maintaining employment. Supports may occur at the workplace and/or in the community depending on participant preference and disclosure choices.
• Develop job support plans with participants and update supports as needs, preferences, work schedules, and employment goals change.
• Provide education and support to employers only as authorized by the participant , including discussion of job supports , accommodations, communication strategies, and retention supports .
• Provide outreach services when participants appear to disengage, using multiple methods and community-based contacts to re-engage participants in services.
• Respond to participant, employer, school, and team communication in a timely manner , including returning calls or messages within agency expectations and providing support around job starts and school starts.

• Provide responsive, respectful, participant-centered service that supports recovery, wellness, self-determination, and community integration.
• Identify and build upon the strengths of participants, coworkers, families/natural supports , employers, schools, and the communities served.
• Promote an organizational culture that respects and celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and individual choice.
• Use evidence-based IPS practices and other applicable best practices to support improved employment, education, and recovery outcomes.
• Value learning as an ongoing…