Employment Specialist (23.07/hr)

General Description The Employment Specialist provides team-based vocational-supportive services to our persons served with severe and persistent mental illnesses. The Employment Specialist identifies these individuals’ vocational strengths and barriers, establishes vocational goals, and plans to obtain goals by helping identify symptoms that may interfere with employment. You must be able to fuel your passion for nonprofit through HOPE of the future, only settle for EXCELLENCE in execution, COLLABORATE well with others, have COMPASSION for our mission and be ready to make a strong impact that is incredibly rewarding. About the Agency Since 1972, Places for People has helped individuals in the St. Louis community find and define their places in the world. Specifically, our mission is to provide caring, effective services to help those with the greatest challenges recover from mental health illness and associated chronic illnesses. We fundamentally believe that each person we serve deserves a chance to be their best selves and we want to help them get to that point. SOME perks of working at Places for People: Medical, dental, and vision insurance Short and long-term disability insurance Paid Vacation Time (6.67 hrs/month) and Sick Leave (10 hrs/month) Free Employee Assistance Program 8 paid holidays Flexible work schedule 403(b) Retirement Plan contribution Mileage reimbursement at the federal rate Supervision available for licensure during work hours and at no cost Loan forgiveness through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) for specific positions AT&T Wireless membership perks Free on-site fitness center (located at our Soulard campus – available for all staff!) Job duties include but are not limited to: Maintains an average of one (1) vocational placement per month and at least five (5) 90-day successful retention outcomes for the first year Attends daily team meetings with ACT Team to discuss past 24-hour interventions with persons served Annually completes Career Assessments for persons served per DMH fidelity guidelines Maintains a caseload of persons served with competitive employment goals to comply with Supported Employment and Education fidelity model Participates in annual DMH fidelity reviews and ensures improvements to the yearly action plan measures as established by DMH Fidelity reviewers Provides support and skills training in illness management strategies, and motivational interviewing to match stage of change in relation to employment Conducts at least 8 hours of job development in the community weekly to provide employment opportunities that match interests and abilities of persons served Collaborates with other ACT team members, psychiatrists, and other treatment professionals to coordinate care as it relates to vocational goals Collaborates with Vocational Rehabilitation or other agencies providing employment assistance Coordinates with other agencies within the community and state to research possible employment opportunities Provides on-call services per weekly team rotation Provides case management to ensure rapport building with persons served Attends weekly Vocational Specialist Group Supervision Maintains knowledge of current best practices for field Provides counsel to individuals on benefits, teaches them job-seeking skills, provides coaching, follow-along supports, and assists them in problem-solving for the purpose of encouraging successful employment and community living Completes annual training requirements as outlined by employee handbook and supervisor Performs other related tasks/jobs as assigned by the supervisor Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in a social services field One year of vocational training/experience Chauffeur’s license Personal vehicle and current insurance Med Tech Training, First Aid, and CPR certification (can be provided by the organization upon hire) We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. No Phone Calls, Please.