Employment Specialist (Next Chance)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employment Specialist serves as a member of the Workforce Team of WestCare Tennessee and will collaborate with the Project Director, Case Manager, Counselor, and Peer Support Specialist in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Next Chance Workforce grant. This role will include evaluating job readiness, screening, assessing for vocational and training needs for participants in the program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.
• Assess the workplace needs of participants to prepare for job search assistance and employment.
• Enhance and document vocational readiness skills for participants.
• Identify employment opportunities within the community.
• Administer interest inventories, and other appropriate testing, screening, and assessment tools to evaluate vocational and training need of participants.
• Assist participants in accessing and/or obtaining a High School Equivalency Test (HiSet) or General Educational Development (GED) and other vocational training as needed.
• Uphold strict confidentiality of individual information.
• Prepare lesson plans and instruct participants in vocational skills including interviewing, resume writing, work behaviors, work skills, etc.
• Evaluate and monitor vocational/occupational skills performance to assist participants in maintaining employment, seeking position promotions, and participating in employer offered trainings.
• Assist participants in securing and maintaining employment.
• Assist participants who are disabled and cannot work in securing volunteer positions as appropriate.
• Build relationships with local employers, the Chamber of Commerce, Vocational Rehabilitation Program, and other community resources to develop appropriate community employment positions, coordinate further vocational training or assistance with accessing available job placement opportunities. Work with outside agencies, local businesses, schools to coordinate further training or job placement.
• Advocate in the workplace on behalf of the participant to employers to improve workplace retention, job performance and vocational skills building while collaborating with Peer Support Specialist in addressing SUD/OUD treatment as needed.
• Participate in staffing decisions regarding participants' current workplace needs to provide input into the participant’s treatment needs and service disposition to Treatment Counselor and Case Manager.
• Perform participant follow up interviews to document employment progress, to make additional referrals to needed services and to maintain active communication throughout the duration of the participant’s enrollment in the program.
• Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings.
• Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with individuals served.
• Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with organizations/ community agencies who refer individuals to WestCare Tennessee.
• Submit weekly report to Project Director.
• Work closely with Project Director, Research Assistant, and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes.
• Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
• Will engage and complete the required WestCare Tennessee eLearning, and any other program related trainings.
• Assist other WestCare staff as needed in a collaborative manner to promote cooperation.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Experience and Competencies:

• At least one year or more of comparable qualifying experience in working with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Co-Occurring Disorder (COD).
• Experience collaborating with individuals in a mental health setting preferred.
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the vocational counseling field.
• Intake and assessment experience.
• Must possess excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to adhere to the standard of ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a professional manner.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Office program formats.
• Ability to respond as needed to crises in an efficient manner.
• Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours and on time.
• Ability to work in different program systems in providing day to day operations.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree in vocational counseling, sociology, social work, or related field preferred.
• Current and/or previous experience in an outpatient atmosphere with workforce development or vocational service-related field of at least 1-3 years will be considered in lieu of a degree.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain and maintain WestCare vehicle insurance.
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or other indoor setting.
• Some travel will be required to trainings and conferences.
• Local travel is associated with participating in stakeholder meetings and other potential meetings to fulfill the requirements of the Next Chance Workforce grant.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.