Supported Employment Specialist

Job Code: C220

Job Title: Supported Employment Specialist (SUD)

Location: Pendleton, Oregon (base); serves Umatilla County clients.

Employment Type: .87 FTE non‑exempt (34.8 hours/week)

Supervisor: Regional Supported Employment Supervisor

Pay Grade: B08 ($24.95 - $35.96 hourly, depending on experience)

Provides culturally competent services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting clients obtain and maintain employment consistent with their vocational goals. The position works closely with community partners and is professional in all aspects of service delivery. Additionally, this position assists administration in meeting the behavioral health needs of the community.

Supervision Received: Regional Supported Employment Supervisor

Supervision Exercised: This position does not supervise other employees.

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers without psychiatric challenges.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling as needed.
• Assesses clients’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client’s permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client’s preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on the caseload, following the principles and procedures of supported employment.
• Provides individualized follow‑along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business and describe supports offered by the program and client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow‑along contact with the employer.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Attends weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Has face‑to‑face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
• Develops an individual employment plan with the client, mental health worker, other treatment team providers and updates it quarterly. Develops job support plans with the client using input from the client, mental health workers, family members, past employment experiences and information about current job.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, library, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
• Reports all abuse to the appropriate legal office, completes all necessary paperwork and investigations, and develops safety plans as required.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Education and/or

Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in social work, psychology, or other human service related field is required, or a high school diploma and three years of equivalent training and work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Develops relationships with employers by learning about their business, hiring practices, hiring preferences, etc. over…