Employment Specialist

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

For the DOR contract, the Employment Specialist will assist young people, aged 15-25, at the Avis and Mark Ridley-Thomas Life Learning Center who are severely emotionally disturbed (SED) adolescents and young adults, ages 15 to 25, including co-occurring (mental health and substance abuse), developmentally disabled, and mentally ill; who are so affected by their disability that they are not able to seek, obtain and/or maintain employment without assistance. Services will also be made available to participants of the Blind Field Services (BFS) District as appropriate.  All Services provided through this agreement shall be provided only for those participants for whom the services(s) have been authorized through an authorizing case note from the DOR Counselor.  Employment Specialst will review and monitor service plans of young people; provide individual and group coaching related to general  and specific job skills; assist young people to identify and address barriers impacting attainment of employment goals; assist in assessing and identifying competitive, non-sheltered employment opportunities, and other similar professional activities. 

The Employment Specialist is field-based and has reliable transportation to support transition age youth in gaining employment. In addition, the Employment Specialist works to build community relationships with potential employers and community resources.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Works to support young people at the Avis and Mark Ridley-Thomas Life Learning Center to achieve their employment and career goals. 
• Adheres to the contracts under the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR).
• Provides career guidance through the creation of goals, completing the Barriers to Employment Success Inventory (BESI), coaching, resume development, interview training, on-the-job support collaboration with a comprehensive team, and helping young people identify opportunities where they can learn, develop, and thrive. 
• Meets with young people on site and in the field, and models employment engagement activities.
• Sets goals with young people and their treatment team
• Participates in team meetings to collaborate on the care offered to the young person. 
• Creates, builds and maintains new relationships with prospective employers for young people. 
• Adheres to and successfully meets goals and outcomes outlined in the DOR contract. 
• For DOR, documents meetings and progress notes of young people by submitting DOR required forms and completing documentation in Exym
• Provides weekly group meetings with young people focusing on similar goals and provides exposure to employment resources,
• Is responsible for sharing information to treatment teams and young people to ensure continuity of care. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and at least 1 year of work with adolescents in a clinical setting.
• Experience using an electronic health record to timely complete mental health services/job placement client services documentation and Spanish speaking ability are preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience working in a vocational or vocational assistance program preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid CA driver’s license and insurable driving record. Use of personal vehicle is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of 15-25 year old young people, social and economic dynamics of low-income urban and vulnerable communities is a must. 
• Strong organizational, written, communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficient in the use of technology, including experience with an Electronic Health Record, Word, and Excel. Employment Specialists are provided with laptops and other support to collaboratively document services/job site information with youth and employers while working in the field.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Employee may be asked to pursue additional training when it is determined to be in the best interest of the Company. Employee must have the ability to use a personal vehicle with the required insurance coverage to complete the essential duties of their job and conduct agency business. Employee must maintain a valid California driver’s license and clean driving record that meets Wellnest’s insurance carrier’s criteria for liability coverage. In keeping with Company policy for all employees, the successful applicant must also complete a test for TB, and fingerprint clearance by the Department of Justice. Employee must agree to Wellnest's Arbitration Agreement as a condition of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Employee regularly works out in the field and in an office environment. Employee may be required to work flexible, evening and/or weekend hours for time-sensitive projects.

REASONING ABILITY: 

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret manual and office documents
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, gather, transcribe and post data, analyze, synthesize and classify information, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to work independently and with others - including other employees, clients and members of the public - in face-to-face and telephonic contexts.
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and manage time, meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands.
• Maintain a high level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time.
• Maintain a high level of ethical and professional standards in accordance with agency policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to talk or hear in order to give and receive information and instructions.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls
• Ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to use computer keyboard up to 50% of the day.
• Visual acuity, ability to adjust focus and peripheral vision for work on a laptop or other computer equipment.
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Able to use telephone, office copier, calculator, fax machine, computer printer and scanner, or other equipment as required

This description is only intended to illustrate the duties, responsibilities and requirements for it.  It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted to describe each and every duty the employee may be required to perform. 

Wellnest does not discriminate against any client, parent/guardian, employee or community member on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. 

Due to restrictions from DHCS, Wellnest, as a health care provider, is unable to employ anyone on a DHCS exclusionary list or database. Applicants will be asked to confirm within the application process whether they are subject to an exclusion.