POSITION TITLE: Individual Placement Support Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Covworks

REPORTS TO: Covworks Project Manager

SALARY:  $46,000 - $48,500

LOCATION: Avenue Saint James (BRONX) 

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

Job Summary

Covenant House New York (CHNY) is launching an evidence-based model called Individual Placement and Support (IPS; https://ipsworks.org/) in our Covenant Works program, which assists young adults in achieving educational goals and finding and retaining employment.  The IPS team will consist of an IPS Supervisor and several IPS Specialists.

The IPS Specialist will provide supported employment services to young adults residing in the Rights of Passage (ROP) program and our pregnant and parenting young women program for youth aged 16-21.  The IPS Specialist will be working between these two sites, both located in the Bronx.  The IPS Specialist will be an energetic, creative, and diligent member of interdisciplinary teams, including the CovWorks Director and Employment Manager, program coordinators, case managers, resident advisors, employment/education staff, housing specialists, youth development staff, and credentialed mental health staff. 

Reporting to the IPS Supervisor, The IPS Specialist implements the IPS Supported Employment program with fidelity to the model.  Key to this model is building relationships with potential employers, and 2/3 of the Specialist's time will be spent in the field, making connections with various businesses and companies to help youth find employment.  When not working with potential employers, the IPS Specialist works with clients to determine educational and employment goals and find and retain jobs. 

The IPS Specialist ensures good program outcomes by completing training and being supervised by CHNY staff and external IPS experts who consult regularly with the team.

Duties and responsibilities:

Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships toward competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have barriers and/or disabilities. Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment so that clients can make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings as required. Continuously assesses clients' vocational functioning, utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, it provides education and support to family members. Discusses the client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers. Following the principles and procedures of IPS-supported employment, the employee conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are Individually Customized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload. Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program, and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position. Provides individualized follow-along support to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from the mental health team as necessary. Adjust the plan according to client's needs and preferences. Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and following up with the employer through contact with the employment specialist. Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach. Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations promptly. For example, returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follows up on job leads within 48 hours. Meets with clients within one week before the job starts and within three days after the job starts. Participates in weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment. Participates in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients. Develop individual employment (and/or education) plans with clients. Incorporates input from the mental health team and family members, with permission. Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meet clients at community locations such as a workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, etc., or take clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc. Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals. Responsible for a minimum number of job starts per year and maintaining a set percentage of employment on caseload. Always reflects CHNY's values and principles on social media. Always uphold CHNY's mission, vision, principles, standards of conduct, policies, and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned and/or needed.