Employment Specialist Part Time | Adult Outpatient Services

About the role

At Valley’s Assertive Community Outreach (ACT) team, the Employment Specialist helps adults with severe and persistent mental illness pursue meaningful employment as part of their recovery journey. Working within a multidisciplinary ACT team, this role provides vocational assessment, job development, skills training, and ongoing support in community and home-based settings. By following the supported employment fidelity model, the Employment Specialist helps clients build confidence, achieve employment goals, and increase independence while receiving intensive community-based behavioral health support.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive interviews with individuals and, when applicable, family members or team members to complete strengths-based vocational assessments
• Develops employment-focused service plans based on clients’ interests, abilities, strengths, and needs; ensures service plans are client-driven and completes timely follow-ups to assess service quality and quantity
• Researches job openings and opportunities through employment services, job boards, networking contacts, cold calling, and other employer outreach methods
• Performs job analysis to match potential opportunities with clients’ needs, skills, and logistical requirements
• Establishes and maintains relationships with businesses offering employment opportunities
• Assists clients with job applications, resume preparation, and interview skills development
• Provides ongoing job coaching based on individual client needs and employer preferences
• Identifies and addresses employment barriers such as transportation problems, scheduling conflicts, or workplace accessibility issues
• Provides crisis intervention when situations warrant
• Completes documentation in electronic health records systems
• Prepares accurate and timely written reports for the Vocational Rehabilitation Division and other stakeholders
• Ensures timely maintenance of authorizations, billing records, and completed information releases
• Provides individual, group, family, and community counseling on vocational rehabilitation topics
• Refers clients and families to appropriate community resources, including state vocational rehabilitation services and benefits counseling
• Participates in ongoing professional development opportunities to develop and maintain vocational rehabilitation knowledge and skills

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• One year of experience in the behavioral health field working with people with severe and persistent mental illness
• Access to a vehicle, a valid driver’s license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous job coaching/vocational rehabilitation experience

Pay

Range starts at $19.25/hour; pay is calculated based on years of related experience.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, 30 hours per week.

Benefits

• Compensation: Tenure-based service increases and performance bonuses; On-Demand Pay access to a portion of earned wages before payday
• Time Off: 15 days accrued paid time off annually (increasing by one day per year of service), 10 paid holidays, 2 wellness days, paid parental leave
• Health & Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for full-time and part-time team members working 30+ hours per week; voluntary accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, financial protection, and pet insurance; Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability Insurance at no cost
• Health Savings & Reimbursement: Garner HRA up to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families; Health Savings Account with company match up to $900 for individuals and $1,800 for families
• Retirement: 401(k) with pre-tax and Roth contributions and company match up to 6% of annual salary
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, new licensure reimbursement, paid training and conference attendance, continuing education reimbursement, paid time for continuing education