Job Description:

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Location: West Plains, Missouri

Department: Supported Living and Employment Services

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary:

Are you a passionate and dedicated Employment Specialist looking to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities and/or barriers to employment? Do you want to work in a supportive and dynamic environment where you can grow your skills and advance your career? Join our team at Brightli as an Employment Specialist!

As an Employment Specialist, you'll be responsible for developing and implementing all phases of clients' vocational services. You'll provide individualized career planning, job placement and retention support. You'll be responsible for marketing clients and services, developing career opportunities, creating employer relationships, supporting clients at their job site and facilitating long-term vocational success. As an Employment Specialist, you'll be an expert regarding your local labor market, analyzing trends and partnering with employers to meet recruitment needs.

Position Perks & Benefits:

Annual bonuses - up to $12,000 in annual bonusesEmployee benefits package - health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more**Paid time off - 29 days per year including vacation & holiday payMileage reimbursement - company paid for work functions requiring travelTop-notch training - initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportiveCareer mobility - advancement opportunities/promoting from withinWelcoming, warm, supportive - a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Key Responsibilities:

Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders and team members with dignity and respectAdhere to all confidentiality, CARF and contractual standards during provision of servicesMaintain flexibility in work availability including evenings, overnights and weekends as necessaryCompile and review vocational, medical, psychological and educational information, and utilize this information to assist clients with individualized career planning, job development and retention servicesSchedule and participate in team/planning meetings that discuss individual clients and their employment goals with shared decision-makingConduct orientation for clients to explain services and discuss their rights, responsibilities and disclosureAssist clients with individualized career planning through interviews, community-based activities and vocational counseling to determine strengths, needs, abilities and preferences in relation to their personal and employment goalsAssist clients with individualized benefits planning at the onset of services, before starting a new job and when making decisions about changes in work hours and payTeach and reinforce job seeking and job retention skills with clientsCreate employer relationships and provide employer services designed to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunitiesServe as an advocate for clients with employers, referral sources and other stakeholders (family, schools, other social service agencies, etc)Educate employers regarding benefits of hiring persons with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations (e.g., assistive technology Adaptations, job carving, etc.)Promote the System, services and clients in a professional manner with employers and through participation in community events and awareness activities, this may include making presentations or public speakingMaintain frequent contact with referral sources for the purpose of discussing shared clients and identifying potential referralsReport job development outcomes and other relevant information to supervisor on a regular basis (e.g., referrals, placements, retention, areas of concern, etc.)Respond to crisis that may occur with clients at their worksiteTravel extensively to conduct job development and supports, including transporting clientsMay be required to provide on-site or off-site job supports for clientsOther duties as assigned by Leadership

Education and/or Experience Qualifications:

A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is requiredAn associates or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferredAt least one year of experience providing employment services

Additional Qualifications:

The individual should have a good understanding of how to support individuals with disabilities and/or barriers to employment, education, and/or independent livingKnowledgeable about case management and rehabilitation methods, principles and techniques as they relate to mental health and/or substance use disordersKnowledge of the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness and substance abuse disorders, and know how to access community resourcesKnowledge of the methods and modalities as well as the legal requirements and court procedures related to treating mental illnesses and substance use disordersSome knowledge of supervisory and training techniques and practices used in a substance use disorders/mental health settingAbility to evaluate services within assigned program and give inputGood communication skills, both verbal and written, are important for producing clear and concise reportsStrong customer service skills are also necessaryProficiency in computer knowledge, including Word, Excel, internet platforms, and other electronic media

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about empowering your local communities and promoting health equity, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization that is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors.

Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.