Employment Specialist

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness.

The ACT team provides an integrated set of evidence-based treatment, rehabilitation, case management, and support services delivered by a mobile, multi-disciplinary mental health treatment team. ACT supports client recovery through a highly individualized approach that provides clients with the tools to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships and relief from symptoms and medication side effects. ACT services are developed through the person-centered service planning process and adjusted through the process of daily team meetings. 

STATEMENT OF THE JOB:

As a member of the CCNS ACT Team, the Employment Specialist will provide intensive in-home and community-based services to individuals living with severe mental illness, who have a treatment history characterized by frequent use of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, alcohol/substance abuse, and lack of engagement in traditional outpatient services. Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, the Employment Specialist will utilize a person-centered planning process to provide rehabilitation, case management and support services to individuals served by the ACT Team. The Employment Specialist will lead the team in integrating vocational goals and services with the tasks of all team members to support individual participation in vocational training, adult education, ESL, and competitive employment. This person will have experience in vocational assessment, job exploration and skills development in obtaining and maintaining employment.  The Employment Specialist will conduct assertive outreach and engagement, utilize motivational interviewing and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) to support vocational and educational goals when working with individuals served by the ACT team. 

* Responsible for providing services to clients in their home environment, community settings, provider offices and additional locations as needed.

* Responsible for providing direct support services to clients with psychiatric diagnoses, co-occurring substance use, chronic physical health problems and complex social needs.

* Assess and provide direct services to participants in the following areas: health and wellness, housing, income support, education, vocational training, employment and social supports, medication support. 

* Provide individual employment and vocational counseling. Provide assistance through all phases of the vocational service.  

* Identify services individuals should receive based on assessment of education, vocational and work history, and a person’s immediate needs; recommend treatment objectives for an individual’s service plan.  

* Assist with creation of resumes and CVs; assists with completion of applications, interview preparation. 

* Refer individuals to employment programs and assist with job development activities.

* Participate in daily treatment review meetings, leading the discussions around vocational/educational issues and incorporating findings into service plans. 

* Assist individuals with symptom management skills; identify and clarify rehabilitation and recovery goals.

* Develop crisis intervention and relapse prevention plans.

* Coordinate care and develop comprehensive service plans and 6-month service plan reviews in collaboration with individuals, families and natural supports, housing, providers, hospitals, shelter staff, criminal justice personnel, Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), and any additional community partners to promote attainment of treatment and recovery goals. 

* Use motivational interviewing, recovery and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.

* Meet monthly required levels of treatment contacts with at least 80% of contacts occurring in the community.

* Meet required service intensity and frequency to support monthly billing.

* Complete and signs progress notes, assessments, care plans, incident reports, and other required documentation in accordance to the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) regulations, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) guidelines, and Medicaid billing standards and regulations

* Provide 24/7 on-call crisis intervention on-call services on rotating basis. 

* Represent the agency at internal and external provider meetings.

* Participates in CCBQ Agency meetings and workshops/trainings as required/requested.

* Adheres to all funding source standards in addition to the Agency (Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens) policies and procedures; seeks guidance/clarification from their immediate supervisor regarding interpretation, applicability, and implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field. Master’s Degree and NYS Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling preferred.

* Apply for and maintain valid NPI number.

* At least one year of training and/or experience in vocational assessment, job exploration, and skills development in choosing, getting and maintaining employment, employment counseling or vocational rehabilitation. 

* At least two years of experience working in human services with individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

* Eligible for full and unconditional participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

* Experience and understanding of vocational assessments, job exploration and skills development in obtaining and maintaining employment. 

* Knowledge of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), community integrated treatment, support services, and resources

* Bilingual Spanish/English speaking preferred. 

* Regularly required to talk, hear, walk, stand, & sit. 

* Able to lift up to 10 pounds. 

* Able to travel to multiple locations as needed. 

* Able to work flexible hours and days – including weekends/evenings/holidays according to needs of program. 

BENEFITS:

* We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including:

* Generous time off (Vacation/ Personal Days/ Sick Days/ Paid Holidays annually)

* Medical,

* Dental

* Vision

* Retirement Savings with Agency Match

* Transit

* Flexible Spending Account

* Life insurance

* Public Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer

* Training Series and other additional voluntary benefits.

For more information on our organization, please visit our website at: www.ccbq.org EOE/AA.