Employment Specialist

Join our mission to help individuals with mental illness and addictions lead healthy and productive lives at Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS). This full-time position is based at our Madison office.

About the Role

This position involves working with consumers in all phases of the employment process, including employment assessment, job readiness, job development and job search, employment support, and follow-up using an evidence-based approach.

Responsibilities

• Develops individualized vocational plans with clients in employment programs in conjunction with staff and significant others.
• Markets employment programs to the business community and referral agents.
• Assists clients in creating personal marketing tools including resumes, cover letters, letters of introduction, references, portfolios of skills and accomplishments, and thank-you notes.
• Develops job placements through negotiation with staff, business, and industry representatives.
• Familiarizes clients to job site, supervisors, coworkers, pay scale, production quota, personnel policies and procedures, safety requirements, etc.
• Provides systematic and consistent instruction to clients on job sequence and job tasks. Monitors performance and productivity and provides assistance, support, and/or additional training when necessary until client reaches and maintains performance criteria.
• Teaches job-related skills as needed (use of public transportation, vending machines, cafeteria, etc.) and provides support and feedback to clients on or off the job site.
• Provides personal, social, and work adjustment training utilizing behavior management techniques where appropriate; models appropriate work behaviors. Focuses where necessary on accepted attendance standards, punctuality, proper attire, grooming and hygiene, stamina building, and appropriate interactions with coworkers.
• Coordinates, as required, transportation for the client to and from the worksite.
• Assists employer in identifying, developing, and implementing job modifications, adaptations, and/or accommodations as needed.
• Establishes and maintains ongoing communication with employers and coworkers and advocates for the client as needed.
• Provides information and assistance to job site employers and other appropriate staff regarding supervising and working with persons with severe mental illnesses and other barriers to employment, accessibility issues, and ongoing monitoring of client’s work performance utilizing established techniques/modifications.
• Coordinates placement activities with peers; collects and maintains placement statistics and other relevant program data.
• Participates in business and professional community organizations and activities.
• Prepares chronological records, completes relevant record activities, and writes case staffing reports.
• Assesses and maintains data on client’s work performance and personal adjustment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any field (preferred fields: HR, Marketing, Business, Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Work, Mental Health, Psychology) or four years of experience in vocational rehabilitation/employment services or related experiences.
• Knowledge of mental illness and addiction preferred.
• Position requires frequent driving of own vehicle. Valid driver’s license, vehicle, and insurable driving record are required.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off and Sick Time
• Flexible work schedules
• Comprehensive health insurance
• 403(b) Retirement with Match
• Professional development opportunities and no-cost CEUs
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness assistance
• Tuition Assistance ($2,500 per semester for an MSW or MA in Counseling)
• Practicum supervision, license supervision, and continuing education credits

GCBHS has been named a Top Workplace in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky every year since 2010.