Supported Employment and Education Specialist

About the Role

The IPS Supported Employment & Education Specialist delivers Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services by helping individuals with mental health challenges obtain and maintain competitive, community-based employment and education aligned with their strengths, interests, and goals. This role is highly community-focused, with approximately 65% of time spent in the field engaging job seekers, employers, academic institutions, families, and service partners. The specialist manages a dedicated caseload, drives program outcomes, and meets revenue goals via Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) billing mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Client Engagement & Assessment
  • Build trusting, collaborative relationships with job seekers in community settings preferred by the individual (e.g., homes, libraries, schools, businesses).
  • Assess vocational and educational skills, interests, and preferences through real-world interactions and employer exploration.
  • Develop individualized Career Profiles and employment/education plans with input from clients, mental health teams, and natural supports.
  • Facilitate discussions regarding client preferences for mental health disclosure to employers.
  • Provide safe transportation for clients in personal vehicle as needed for vocational and educational activities.
• Employment & Employer Services
  • Conduct individualized job searches based on client interests following core IPS principles.
  • Complete a minimum of six (6) in-person employer contacts per week to build professional networks and discover unadvertised opportunities.
  • Educate employers about available workplace supports and, with client consent, negotiate accommodations.
  • Assist clients directly with job applications, follow-up visits, and informational interview practice.
• Job Retention & Continuous Support
  • Provide individualized job support before and after the job starts, utilizing workplace or community-based setups according to client preference.
  • Meet with individuals within one week before their job start and within three days after their job start.
  • Develop, monitor, and adapt job support plans collaboratively to ensure long-term job retention.
  • Conduct proactive outreach and re-engagement strategies if an individual disengages from services.
• Benefits, Education & Training Support
  • Help individuals understand how employment affects benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid) and connect them to certified benefits counseling.
  • Support education and training goals through mainstream academic and certificate programs.
  • Assist with FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, financial aid navigation, and procurement of required tools/equipment.
  • Provide physical campus tours, coordinate disability services, assist with study planning, and negotiate academic accommodations.
  • Support IEP, 504, and school transition meetings for youth or adult students when applicable.
• Team & System Collaboration
  • Integrate vocational services by participating actively in weekly mental health treatment team meetings.
  • Coordinate services with state Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) vocational rehabilitation counselors, including monthly in-person meetings and progress reports.
  • Maintain timely professional communication, including returning all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.
• Performance & Revenue Expectations
  • OOD Milestone Tracking: Successfully guide clients through OOD benchmarks, capturing and submitting rigorous documentation for job placement, retention, and closure milestones.
  • Revenue Targets: Consistently meet or exceed monthly and quarterly revenue targets through OOD fee-for-service benchmarks and other billable program activities.
  • Outcome Metrics: Maintain required program employment outcomes, including targeted job starts and caseload employment rates defined by program standards.
  • Compliance Documentation: Complete all electronic health records and billing documentation accurately within agency-mandated timelines to prevent billing delays or denials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of experience in human services, customer service, sales, or workforce development required. Higher starting pay tiers are available for candidates with additional years of experience in serious mental illness, vocational rehabilitation, or employment coaching.
• Core Competencies: Exceptional community engagement, communication, time management, and organizational skills.
• Travel Requirements: Valid driver’s license, active auto insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a clean driving record.

Working Conditions

This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. The employee is regularly required to speak and hear, frequently sit for extended periods, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms. The role involves providing transportation to clients as needed to achieve client goals and objectives. Travel and work outside of normal hours may be required for meetings, presentations, trainings, and other events.