Employment Specialist - IPS

Job Purpose:  This position is responsible for the overall care and service delivery for individuals enrolled in IPS supported employment programming. This 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:

1. Serves as the Employment Specialist and vocational expert on the IPS interdisciplinary team.
2. Manages an intensive caseload of up to 20 individuals with mental health and AODA barriers.
3. Leverages braided funding to provide wrap around supports for individuals participating in the program. Understands the requirements and technical specifications of each funder and the services that can be provided under each umbrella. (CCS and DVR)
4. Effectively creates and manages employer relationships leading to the placement of individuals served within the IPS program. 
5. Provides career assessment and exploration as well as job preparation and development services for individuals seeking community based, integrated employment.
6. Accurately completes all required documentation in a timely manner to uphold the integrity of the client record. Documentation is “person centered” and comprehensive in nature meeting established documentation standards and funder contractual obligations.   
7. Maintains necessary authorizations for service and assures that activity is being properly billed at the end of each month, to the appropriate funder.
8. Interfaces with the employer, funder, client and support persons to provide information, elicit feedback and maintain consistent and accurate communication.
9. Identifies and introduces assistive technology, work accommodations, compensatory strategies to behavioral contracts as indicated to improve client presentation and/or performance.
10. A personal vehicle, a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and insurance in conformity with agency limits.
11. Will collaborate and assist with all levels of personnel within the program to achieve common goals
     

Required Technical Skills, Experience, Education, and Credentials: (Where appropriate, education and/or experience may be substituted)

Minimum Age Requirement:  N/A

Minimum Required Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Business Management, Human Resources, Sales, or Social Worker. Or other related fields of study will be considered with relevant work experience

Minimum Required Experience:  None

Required License – Certification – Registration: None

Travel outside of office:   70% travel in the communities we serve

Required Valid Driver’s License:  Valid Wisconsin driver’s license

Required Auto Insurance:  Vehicle liability insurance in accordance with Agency policy if driving own vehicle

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities:

1. Ability to successfully complete all required CCS trainings, CPR, First-aid, Safety Education and IPS trainings to deliver services within 90 days of hire.
2. Knowledge of case management principles and practices.
3. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethical standards for integrated employment.
4. Knowledge of a variety of disabling conditions and helpful accommodations, strategies and assistive technology that will assist the individual on the job.
5. Understanding of behavior modification techniques, compensatory strategies and accommodations.
6. Ability to represent MCFI and advocate for people with disabilities through participation in professional and community organizations and interactions with community partners.
7. Ability to conduct business in a wide array of local industry and interacting with Human Resource and management level staff.
8. Ability to interpret observational data to make objective and impartial written/verbal reports.
9. Knowledge to use work related equipment and applications such as cell phone and texting, computers, photo copier, Microsoft Office, and Teams.
10. Fully understands and practices the Eight Principles of IPS model and is acutely aware of the 25 fidelity markers by which competency and program success is measured

Physical Requirements, Visual Acuity, and Work Conditions:

Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and reaching, extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Standing for sustained periods of time. Walking, moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, pushing, pulling. Lifting, raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to-position. Fingering, picking, pinching, grasping items, typing, or otherwise working.

Talking, expressing, or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing, perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction

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

Working Conditions: Exposure to indoor and outdoor elements. Exposure to a variety of community-based work environments that may present with varying levels of activity, noise, and temperatures. Intensive interaction with person’s presenting with behavioral and cognitive challenges or significant barriers to work

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.