Supported Employment and Education Specialist

Supported Employment and Education Specialist

Cleveland, OH, USA

Posted Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 4:00 AM

The IPS Supported Employment & Education Specialist delivers Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services by helping individuals with mental health challenges obtain and maintain competitive, community-based employment and education aligned with their strengths, interests, and goals.

This role is highly community-focused, with approximately 65% of time spent in the field engaging job seekers, employers, academic institutions, families, and service partners. The specialist is responsible for managing a dedicated caseload, driving program outcomes, and meeting revenue goals via Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) billing mechanisms.

• Build trusting, collaborative relationships with job seekers in community settings preferred by the individual (e.g., homes, libraries, schools, businesses).
• Assess vocational and educational skills, interests, and preferences through real-world interactions and employer exploration.
• Develop individualized Career Profiles and employment/education plans with input from clients, mental health teams, and natural supports.
• Facilitate discussions regarding client preferences for mental health disclosure to employers.
• Provide safe transportation for clients in personal vehicle as needed for vocational and educational activities.

• Conduct individualized job searches based on client interests following core IPS principles.
• Complete a minimum of six (6) in-person employer contacts per week to build professional networks and discover unadvertised opportunities.
• Educate employers about available workplace supports and, with client consent, negotiate accommodations.
• Assist clients directly with job applications, follow-up visits, and informational interview practice.

• Provide individualized job support before and after the job starts, utilizing workplace or community-based setups according to client preference.
• Meet with individuals within one week before their job start and within three days after their job start.
• Develop, monitor, and adapt job support plans collaboratively to ensure long-term job retention.
• Conduct proactive outreach and re-engagement strategies if an individual disengages from services.
• Help individuals understand how employment affects benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid) and connect them to certified benefits counseling.
• Support education and training goals through mainstream academic and certificate programs.
• Assist with FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, financial aid navigation, and procurement of required tools/equipment.
• Provide physical campus tours, coordinate disability services, assist with study planning, and negotiate academic accommodations.
• Support IEP, 504, and school transition meetings for youth or adult students when applicable.
• Integrate vocational services by participating actively in weekly mental health treatment team meetings.
• Coordinate services with state Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) vocational rehabilitation counselors, including monthly in-person meetings and progress reports.
• Maintain timely professional communication, including returning all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.

• OOD Milestone Tracking:
  Successfully guide clients through OOD benchmarks, capturing and submitting rigorous documentation for job placement, retention, and closure milestones.
• Revenue Targets:
  Consistently meet or exceed monthly and quarterly revenue targets through OOD fee-for-service benchmarks and other billable program activities.
• Outcome Metrics:
  Maintain required program employment outcomes, including targeted job starts and caseload employment rates defined by program standards.
• Compliance Documentation:
  Complete all electronic health records and billing documentation accurately within agency-mandated timelines to prevent billing delays or denials.

• Other duties as assigned

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or GED equivalent only.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum of two (2) years of experience in human services, customer service, sales, or workforce development required.
• Experience-Based Pay Scales:
  Higher starting pay tiers are available for candidates with additional years of experience in serious mental illness, vocational…