EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST-IPS

Momentum for Health • San Jose, CA

29d • $35 - $39

About The Position

M-F 8:00am-4:30pm or 8:30am-5:00pm, occasional evenings & weekends

Pay rates for Union positions are set in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
with SEIU Local 521. Each position has a total of six steps, Step 1 (entry
level) through Step 6 (15 years of employment with the organization). Union
staff are promoted from Step 1 to Step 2 upon their one-year anniversary. The
current Step 1 rate for this position is $35.49/hr, and the current Step 6 rate
for this position is $39.19/hr.

We offer a competitive package of employee benefits for 30 to 40-hour week
positions. You will receive a defined contribution amount of up to $15,433.08
per year (prorated for part-time employees working less than 40 hours per week)
to purchase the benefits of your choice on a cafeteria plan basis. Any amount of
this defined contribution not used towards your benefits will be paid to you as
taxable earnings. We offer a retirement plan with a generous employer match
starting at 4% after one year of employment. Our paid time off is also more
generous than many employers with vacation time accruing up to 25 days per year,
6 days of sick time per year and 12 paid holidays.

The benefits offered in our cafeteria plan are as follows:

Medical benefits –Kaiser--ranging from $0 Deductible Plan with $15 Copay to
$,3400 Deductible Plan with Health Savings Account. Sutter Health plans are
also available from $0 Deductible Plan to $2,500 Deductible Plan.
Dental benefits –Guardian: 1 dental HMO and 2 PPOs
Vision benefits – 2 options from Guardian VSP: a standard vision plan and an
enhanced vision plan

Requirements

• Associate’s degree plus four years’ experience; OR Bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience; OR Master’s degree plus one year’s experience, working in mental health or vocational rehabilitation services, or related employment services. (Appropriate volunteer and internship experience will be considered.) (E)
• Work independently and in close collaboration with others as part of a small team; (E)
• Engage and communicate effectively with others in both verbal and written English; (E)
• Create and edit documents including resumes and business letters; coach and instruct others; (E)
• Manage multiple tasks and demands; consistently meet timelines and deadlines; (E)
• Use tact and diplomacy and build productive relationships with clients, including those with multiple barriers; (E)
• Work from a strengths-based, harm-reduction, social rehabilitation model; (E)
• Employ a recovery-based orientation including the belief that people learn and grow from their experiences, develop new skills, and achieve life goals over time; (E)
• Deal effectively and resourcefully with clients and the public; (E)
• Exercise good judgment; act calmly in emergency situations; (E)
• Work effectively with persons of different value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities and disabilities; (E)
• Work collaboratively with individuals identified as those with serious mental illness who may have multiple barriers including homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, medical concerns and substance use disorders; (E)
• Exhibit exemplary customer service, compassion, and care in the execution of all duties and interactions. (E)
• Knowledge of: Employment services, rehabilitation of people with mental illness, and principles of recovery, as related to employment practices; (E)
• Knowledge of: Evidence-based Individual Placement & Support model for providing employment supports to individuals with mental illness; (E)
• Knowledge of: Motivational Interviewing techniques; (E)
• Knowledge of: Resume development, online applications, and employment screening software; (E)
• Knowledge of: American with Disabilities Act; (E)
• Knowledge of: Special needs of minority populations; (E)
• Knowledge of: Community resources, including those required to meet the non-mental health needs of the target population. (E)
• Demonstrated proficiency in typing—minimum 30 net wpm (E)
• computer literacy, including Internet search, basic level in Microsoft Office applications, and basic level in Windows-based databases; (E)
• Possess a valid California Driver License, with access to a reliable vehicle or for driving an Agency vehicle, current proof of auto liability insurance, and a documented clean DMV record. (E)
• Hearing and talking on telephone and in person; standing, walking, sitting, pinching and finger flexion are required constantly (over 2/3 of the workday); (E)
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling and twisting are required occasionally (under 1/3 of the workday); (E)

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of Social Rehabilitation; (D)
• Demonstrated proficiency in typing—40 net wpm (D);
• familiarity with UNIX-based databases. (D)

Responsibilities

• As part of an integrated mental health treatment team, assist clients to obtain and maintain employment, utilizing the principles of IPS. Maintain a caseload of 15-20.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach when serving clients by recognizing each person’s skills, experiences, and values that support employment.
• Engage clients in a trusting, collaborative relationship directed toward the goal of obtaining competitive employment; utilize effective client interviewing techniques to learn about individual preferences, past experiences, hopes and concerns regarding employment.
• Assess clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provide education and support to family members.
• Link clients to available community services and resources to support employment success.
• Assist clients to make employer contacts within 30 days of program entry. Conduct job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of persons served, following the principles and procedures of IPS.
• Utilizing a targeted, field-based approach, have contact with prospective employers, who are selected based on job seekers’ preferences, on a weekly basis to learn about their business needs and hiring preferences; describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer.
• Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medi-Cal, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refer client to benefits counseling, as needed. Help clients report earnings, as needed.
• Coordinate individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Develop job support plans with clients, incorporating input from the mental health team. Adjust plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.
• Actively participate in regular treatment team meetings to assist other team members to better develop and integrate employment supports into mental health services; provide continuing support to team members on how to approach and engage clients on employment as part of their overall recovery goals.
• Effectively collaborate with mental health treatment team members, outside resources, family members, and any other client-identified supports that may contribute to clients’ employment success.
• Participate in ongoing evaluation of service progress and outcomes to ensure fidelity to the IPS model.
• Complete required documentation in accordance with agency, payor and regulatory requirements, utilizing computer technology.
• Provide on-call coverage, as assigned.
• Provide transportation for clients in personal or agency vehicle on agency business.
• Attend and participate in staff, program, agency and community meetings, as required, requested or assigned.

Benefits

• defined contribution amount of up to $15,433.08 per year (prorated for part-time employees working less than 40 hours per week) to purchase the benefits of your choice on a cafeteria plan basis
• retirement plan with a generous employer match starting at 4% after one year of employment
• vacation time accruing up to 25 days per year
• 6 days of sick time per year
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical benefits –Kaiser--ranging from $0 Deductible Plan with $15 Copay to $,3400 Deductible Plan with Health Savings Account. Sutter Health plans are also available from $0 Deductible Plan to $2,500 Deductible Plan.
• Dental benefits –Guardian: 1 dental HMO and 2 PPOs
• Vision benefits – 2 options from Guardian VSP: a standard vision plan and an enhanced vision plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree