Employment Support Specialist

Position Summary:

The Employment Support Specialist will build trusting relationships with individuals to assess their employment interests and develop the skills needed for supportive or competitive jobs aligned with their vocational goals. They will also identify and assist individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in completing applications and accessing necessary resources to support their employment aspirations.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Meet face-to-face with members to educate them about entitlements and Behavioral Health Services.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with referral sources. Collaborate with community partners to establish an employment referral network.
• Assist clients in understanding how earned income affects their benefits and refer clients to benefit planning for education on work incentives from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
• Help members in developing their Individualized Service Plan (ISP) for reporting earned income to the SSA and managing resources for employment.
• Develop members’ skills to support employment goals, including resume writing and interview preparation.
• Use Motivational Interviewing techniques to assess members' readiness for employment-related goals.
• Complete deliverables related to employment services.
• Provide education and support to employers, including negotiating accommodations and informing them about behavioral health diagnoses.
• Maintain accurate information on entitlements, resources, and employment placements.
• Coordinate access to entitlements through Health-e Arizona.
• Attend clinical supervision meetings 1 hour every other week or more if recommended by the clinical supervisor.
• Perform special assignments and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience working in a behavioral health environment and experience providing employment services/training and knowledge of benefits eligibility preferred.
• Peer support certification preferred.
• Must be able to obtain a Level One Fingerprint Clearence Card. Reliable transportation, clean driving record, Arizona driver’s license, and current personal automobile insurance required.

Skills:

Thorough knowledge of the operation of contractually operated behavioral health programs for Adults employment related interest and a thorough knowledge of the local, state, and federal regulations and procedures. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and possess the ability to work collaboratively and independently to achieve stated goals.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive health insurance plans.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Paid time off and company holidays.

Company Culture:

At Community Health Associates, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and encourage you to share your unique perspective