Brief Summary :

They assist clients with training for, seeking, finding, and keeping viable jobs, both paid and volunteer along with helping clients find safe and affordable housing. This Employment/Housing Specialist also teaches clients about competitive work opportunities, assessing interest/work needs as indicated, and offers direct placement of clients in positions appropriate to skill level and personal needs, while advocating for clients as needed to ensure work success. The Employment/Housing Specialist will help clients achieve their goals. The position will also serve as ongoing support to clients, including providing information and education to family members and other support persons, and provides long-term job coaching for clients to assist in work stability and retention. This position requires a highly organized, detailed, and assertive individual.

Education: B.A./B.S. degree in sociology, psychology, social work, and/or counseling field and two years’ experience providing employment services to psychiatric population or M.A./M.S. degree in sociology, psychology, social worker, counseling, and/or addiction counseling similar field and at least two years’ experience providing employment services to psychiatric population.

Experience:

· One year of experience providing job- coaching, counseling, or placement, or two years’ experience in vocational rehabilitation, employment placement, sales, housing assessment and support services to individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and/or involvement in the criminal justice system.

-Training in Supported Employment and Assertive Community Treatment models.

-Knowledge of behavioral management techniques and crisis intervention skills.

-Knowledge of procedure manuals and the ability to interpret these effectively to staff, family members and community providers.

• Possesses skills necessary to provide effective counseling, therapy and clinical services, and the ability to successfully work as a member of a treatment team.

-Utilizes logical problem-solving techniques both independently and in collaboration with workers in dealing with client needs.

-Ability to Interact positively with persons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and education.

-Fosters excellent rapport with clients and build trusting and motivating relationships.

-Maintain the professional distinction between therapeutic and social relationships.

-Maintain positive morale and unit cohesion as evidenced by maintaining a cooperative and flexible attitude toward coworkers, showing adaptability to change, exhibiting effective communication and interpersonal skills, and taking initiative to solve problems.

-Set priorities and reacts appropriately to emergency situations.