Bilingual Employment Specialist - IPS

Job Purpose: This position is responsible for the overall care and service delivery for bilingual or solely Spanish-speaking individuals enrolled in IPS-supported employment programs. The position promotes the value of a diversified workforce and makes known the untapped labor source to be found in the hiring of persons with disabilities. This position networks with local business and industry, creates partnerships, and presents qualified candidates from the IPS program to the appropriate employer match.

Essential Job Functions:

(Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.)

• Serves as the IPS interdisciplinary team's Employment Specialist and vocational expert.
• Can write and read in Spanish and is able to communicate with Spanish Speakers fully.
• Manages an intensive caseload of up to 20 individuals with mental health and AODA barriers.
• Leverages braided funding to provide wrap around support for individuals participating in the program.
• Understand each funder's requirements and technical specifications and the services that can be provided under each umbrella. (CCS and DVR)
• Fully understands and practices the Eight Principles of the IPS model and is acutely aware of the 25 fidelity markers by which competency and program success are measured.
• Effectively creates and manages employer relationships leading to the placement of individuals served within the IPS program.
• Provides career assessment and exploration, as well as job preparation and development services, for individuals seeking community-based, integrated employment.
• Accurately completes all required documentation on time to uphold the integrity of the client record. Documentation is “person-centered” and comprehensive in nature, meeting established documentation standards and funder contractual obligations.  
• Maintains necessary authorizations for service and assures that activity is correctly billed to the appropriate funder at the end of each month.
• Interfaces with the employer, funder, client, and support persons to provide information, elicit feedback, and maintain consistent and accurate communication.
• Identifies and introduces assistive technology, work accommodations, and compensatory strategies to behavioral contracts as indicated to improve client presentation and/or performance.
• Represents MCFI and advocates for people with disabilities by participating in professional and community organizations and interacting with community partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Required Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure and Credentials:

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in vocational Rehabilitation, vocational counseling, special education, social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, criminal justice, or community mental health. Master’s Degree preferred.

Minimum Required Experience: Experience in case management principles and practices. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethical standards for integrated employment. Strong oral and written communication skills and demonstrated computer literacy in English and Spanish.

Required License – Certification – Registration: Motor vehicle record acceptable to program and/ or contractual requirements. A valid Wisconsin driver's license, and automobile insurance with minimum limits of $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage”.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities:

• Ability to successfully deal with change and potentially stressful situations.
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, and Excel.
• Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
• This position is responsible for the supervision and safety of consumers in both normal program settings as well as a variety of settings in the community. 
• Skill and ability to interpret observational data to make objective and impartial written/verbal reports.
• Must be comfortable conducting business in a wide array of local industry and interacting with Human Resource and management level staff.
• Knowledge of a variety of disabling conditions and helpful accommodations, strategies and assistive technology that will assist the individual on the job.
• Understanding of behavior modification techniques, compensatory strategies, and accommodations.
• Adapts to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Effectively manages one’s own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
• Build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Conveys ideas and facts in writing using language the reader will best understand.
• Employee can get positive results in adverse situations. Holds self-responsible for service excellence. Acts courteously and responsibly to consumers. Anticipates customer needs and responds appropriately. Helps remove barriers; understands issues from the client's perspective.
• Current Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or Safety Education course completed within first 90 days of hire.
• Current negative TB test.

Physical Requirements, Visual Acuity, and Work Conditions:

Physical Requirements: On a frequent basis must be able to move, transport, position, push/pull and/ or lift objects or equipment weighing at least 20 pounds a distance of 450 feet. Twisting, turning, reaching, squatting, bending, pushing, and pulling throughout the day.

Visual Acuity: The worker must have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal.

Working Conditions: Frequent driving. This position works with office equipment, including, but not limited to, personal computers, photocopiers, fax machines, and cell phones. The general business hours are 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; however, the schedule will be modified as needed to meet the needs of programming and client care.

This is a general outline of the essential functions of this position and shall not be construed as an all-inclusive description of all work requirements and responsibilities that may be inherent in this position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the designated work leader(s). All requirements are subject to change over time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.