Employment Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

Program / Department Description

Howie the Harp Advocacy Center (HTH), which is run by professionals who have personal experience with the mental health system, offers an array of services that help individuals with mental health concerns find meaningful, permanent employment and develop careers in human services.

All HTH programs are based on the core values of self-determination and peer expertise. Through the Comprehensive Peer Training Program, Assisted Competitive Employment Program (ACE), and other initiatives, the Academy offers a wide range of services including training, internship experience, job placement and support, and continuing education services.

Our Ongoing Integrated Supportive Employment (OISE) program provides extended job coaching and career support services that are necessary to help people maintain employment or to place them in a new job if a job is lost or when appropriate for career development. These services provide extended mental health- focused employment supports related to helping sustain employment for individuals who have achieved job stability. Ongoing meetings with the individual are required for routine interventions to monitor their work performance and may include worksite job coaching or meeting with the employer regularly if requested by the participant.

Overview

The OISE Employment Specialist provides person-centered employment support for individuals with mental health concerns. The individual in this role will primarily be supporting people who are presently employed but will also be supporting individuals in the process of securing new employment, in instances when participants are looking to connect to new employment opportunities. The OISE Employment Specialist will also be responsible for reviewing and responding to OISE applications and admitting and discharging individuals from the program. Through a customized array of services delivered both on site and in the field the OISE Employment Specialist develops connections to community employers and provides support and skill development toward success and satisfaction in the participant’s chosen field of employment.

Job Qualifications / Requirements

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) – bachelor’s degree, preferred.
• Peer identity, i.e. lived experience of mental health concerns (past or present), preferred.
• Ability to create and foster empathic, professional and respectful relationships between yourself and other people, required
• Strong computer, organizational, and documentation skills, required
• At least three years of experience working in mental health services, preferably employment, peer support, or rehabilitation setting, preferred.
• Possess and maintain a NYS OMH Peer Specialist certification or be willing to obtain one within six months of employment, preferred.
• A commitment to upholding the philosophy, mission, and values of Community Access and Howie The Harp Advocacy Center, required
• Howie The Harp Peer Training Program graduate, preferred
• Training / group facilitation experience, preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of benefits, entitlements, or work incentives, preferred
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the NYS Justice Center.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically, cloud-based data management programs, and Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Be creative and flexible.
• Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org / jobs.

Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M / F / D / V.

Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal experience using mental health

services. www.communityaccess.org