Job Type

Description

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Day 

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 2,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

JOB DEFINITION:

Under the supervision of the Employment Specialist Supervisor, the Employment Specialist provides services to a wide variety of clients and demonstrates sensitivity to the cultural, religious, language, age, gender, and sexual orientation of those we serve. They will assist clients to choose, get, and keep jobs while working with the rest of the treatment team to minimize the effects of the symptoms of mental illness. Their primary focus will be to develop community-based jobs for clients and all the preparation and supportive services associated with this activity. The Employment Specialist will work closely with all interested clients to motivate them while assisting them in identifying and developing their basic work skills. The Employment Team will have a critical role in establishing a culture that promotes optimism, effort, and innovation in the pursuit of clients obtaining competitive employment and more productive lives.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a vocational caseload of 20-25 clients.
• Develop community jobs for individuals challenged by serious and persistent mental illness. 
• Provide employment and advocacy services. 
• Help clients identify and develop their basic work skills needed in today's workplace. 
• Provide engagement, assessment, job placement, and follow-along supports to clients. 
• Work directly with potential employers, current employers, and co-workers of clients. 
• Develop and support trial work and community assessment sites.
• Monitor employment opportunities on various community resources (e.g. community employment web sites, local employers' HR announcements, WorkSource Centers, etc.). 
• Consult with case managers, housing staff, and medical teams regarding the effects of vocational and treatment activities. 
• Collaborate with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Foundational Community Supports (FCS), King County Supported Employment Program (SEP) and other allied agencies - developing plans and providing reports in a timely manner. 
• Become knowledgeable about Work Incentives associated with various benefit programs and provide benefit counseling to clients and staff. 
• Work with clients' families and social networks.
• Act as a task manager for students and trainees as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Group and Individual Work:

• Develop ways to reach out and engage clients and staff in promoting employment. 
• Develop relationships and be accessible to clients throughout the agency to encourage participation in employment. 
• Lead and Co-lead vocational groups.
• Develop services relevant to the vocational needs of clients. 

Team Member:

• Attend relevant employment and treatment team meetings. 
• Be a resource for agency staff and clients regarding benefits and work. 
• Provide coverage for other team members as needed. 
• Represent Supported Employment perspective at relevant meetings.
• Participate in Data Collection process in accordance with project compliance and evaluation activities.
• Participate in presentations and training activities to promote Evidence Based Supported Employment as needed. 

Complete documentation according to agency standards and prepare and submit all reports related to Supported Employment Activities, including:

• Maintain clinical records and Daily Activity Logs in a timely manner. 
• Develop referral information for DVR, negotiate plans, and produce timely reports. 
• Develop and implement vocational plans based on client's employment goals. 
• Prepare information requested by outside agencies such as DSHS, King County MHCADSD, Social Security Administration, and others. 
• Update agency on changes in clients' income status. 
• Collect data for evaluation and research.

Training and Certification:

• Maintain license or certification such as Agency Affiliated Counselor, Certified Mental Health Counselor, and/or Licensed Social Worker. 
• Obtain training and education relevant to the Mental Health and Employment needs of the client population. 
• Obtain continuing education to stay current with the trends in mental health and rehabilitation services. 

Communication:

• Keep supervisor, manager and co-workers informed about schedule and availability. 
• Respond to email, voice and read relevant communication entered into CHASERS on a daily basis. 
• Share areas of expertise with program participants via consultation, team meetings, Psych consults, and presentations. 

Requirements

1. Experience with job development and familiarity with the Supported Employment Model. 
2. Knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs as well as local employment, vocational, and educational resources. 
3. Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from various backgrounds. 
4. Ability to work collaboratively with clients to identify interests, experiences, skills, strengths and challenges in order to match them successfully with employment opportunities. 
5. Familiarity with, and commitment to, a recovery-based treatment philosophy and the belief in the potential of all individuals to work and participate in meaningful community activities. 
6. Writing skills necessary to write DVR reports and clinical records. 
7. Basic computer skills necessary for the work including the ability to learn the software applications used at the agency.
8. Comfortable with making "cold calls" to potential employers and making presentations on behalf our clients and program.
9. Experience providing service to people of diverse cultures who are experiencing homelessness and/or severe economic disadvantages.
10. Commitment to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and consideration and respect for the dignity of the clients we serve.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Relevant Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science or a combination of 1 year of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties.
2. Current Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor or other higher license, or ability to quickly meet requirements to become licensed after hire.
3. Pass a required Washington State criminal background check. 

Preferred but not required:

1. Two years' experience in social service or vocational services.
2. Possess a Washington Driver's license and a driving record that meets agency driving authorization requirements.
3. Experience as a supportive employment specialist.

Salary Description