Community-Based IPS & Education Specialist

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Client Engagement & Assessment

· 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.

Employment & Employer Services

· 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.

Job Retention & Continuous Support

· 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.

Benefits, Education & Training Support

· 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.

Team & System Collaboration

· 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.

Performance & Revenue Expectations

· 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:
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