Workforce Specialist

Casa Esperanza•Boston, MA

About The Position

The role of the Workforce Specialist is to address the educational and vocational needs of Latine individuals with substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorders in order to increase their economic independence, stabilize their families, and support long-term success in recovery. In their role, the Workforce Specialist will help individuals obtain and sustain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals and recovery. The Workforce Specialist will carry a caseload of about 30-35 individuals. S/he will assess clients’ vocational functioning, develop employment service plans, and work with the interdisciplinary team to ensure alignment; educate clients on the job market and related skills; act as a liaison with employers, as needed; facilitate weekly skills development workshops; provide outreach to clients and key stakeholders, as needed; and ensure that benchmarks, timelines, goals, and objectives are being met and reported as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of working with individuals with co-occurring/dual and/or multiple diagnoses/disorders
Familiar with social, health and cultural issues specific to the Latino population
Must be or willing to become CAC certified within the first 30 days of employment
Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License
Minimum of 1 year of experience working directly with people with intellectual and/or functional diagnoses/disabilities
Minimum of two years of experience with providing supported employment services
Experience working with multidisciplinary team models
Experience with strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches to integrated treatment
An associate's degree is required; a bachelor's degree preferred (rehabilitation, psychology, human services, or related field)
Employment Support Professional certification required or willing to obtain within one year of hire
CPR Certified
Bilingual Spanish/English required. Must be able to read and write in both languages.

Nice To Haves

An associate's degree is required; a bachelor's degree preferred (rehabilitation, psychology, human services, or related field)

Responsibilities

Engages consumers and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in integrated job settings
Conduct client assessments to assess clients’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis and provide 1:1 job coaching
Develop Employment Service Plan goals consistent with client needs, interests, experience, skills and goals and update the plan quarterly
Educate clients on how to differentiate between options for rapid placement and long-term career paths
Provide clients with information about the job market and the skills and experience necessary to obtain and work successfully in a particular job
Trains and develops independence skills related to employment, such as travel training, hygiene, self-advocacy, etc.
Provide or coordinate transportation for groups or individual career seekers to interviews, employment assessments, job searching, and other employment activities in the community
Based on agreement with client, provide education and support to employers, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with employers
Support job retention through regular follow-along contacts, problem-solving workplace challenges, and supporting career advancement or job transitions as recovery progresses.
Conduct weekly workshops and individual sessions to support clients with development of interpersonal and inter-professional skills (i.e. resume preparation, job search, interviewing, computer literacy, multi-functional skill-building essentials, etc.)
Co-facilitate computer lab hours to facilitate job search skills, online Microsoft tutorial, keyboarding tutorial, and GED prep courses
Complete training on Supported Employment curriculum, including in-service trainings based on SAMSHA’s TIP 38 workbook and demonstration videos and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model
Provides outreach services to clients, as necessary, when they appear to disengage from SE services. If necessary, maintains some contact even without a vocational focus to sustain engagement
Collaborate with project team to identify key stakeholders (education, employment, community partners, etc.).
Maintain required 30, 60, 90, 120-day follow-ups to maintain engagement
Provide referrals to necessary behavioral health services, social support, and recovery support.
Participate in weekly MDT meetings to coordinate and integrate employment plan into SUD and MH treatment plans
Integrate employment goals with recovery, wellness, and treatment plans, including supporting clients in managing work–recovery balance, stress, relapse prevention, and self-care related to employment.
Provide basic benefits education related to SSI/SSDI, SNAP, MassHealth, housing subsidies, and how employment may impact benefits; coordinate referrals to certified benefits counselors when needed
Provide or coordinate general case management support to assist participants in securing and maintaining basic needs (e.g., housing stability, food security, transportation, benefits access, childcare, and legal or documentation support) in order to promote sustained employment, treatment engagement, and overall stability.
Complete data collection and outcomes reporting, per grant guidelines, parameters and regulations
Document client progress and manage client files per standards and regulations
Attend all relevant case conferences and staff meetings, including MDT
Attend grantee meetings and webinars appropriate or required.
Attend biweekly supervision.
Ensure accurate, timely, and audit-ready documentation in EHR and reporting systems in compliance with BSAS, SAMHSA, and other funder requirements.
Other duties as required