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IPS Employment Specialist

Association for Mental Health and Wellness, West Islip, NY, United States


Hours:

37.5 hours per week

Location:

Ronkonkoma, NY

Availability:

Immediate

Position Description
Join the Association for Mental Health & Wellness and make a lasting difference in people’s lives. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will empower individuals in recovery from serious mental illness to secure meaningful employment of their choice—and support those already working to grow and thrive in their careers. Using the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model, you will be a driving force in helping people build independence, confidence, and purpose through work. If you are mission-driven, relationship-oriented, and ready to do meaningful work in the community, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Complete all required training in the 8 key principles of IPS and implement the model with fidelity

Provide Systematic Job Development

– Successful implementation of IPS involves a high level of partnership with local employers through systematic job development and networking by the employment specialist

Develop and sustain connections and relationships in the business community

Educate prospective employers about recovery and the benefits of work for people in recovery

Benefits Counseling

– IPS Employment Specialists will receive training to provide benefits counseling for individuals in rehabilitation programs, supporting them with navigating work incentives.

Ensure Rapid Job Search

– It is an expectation that individuals who have identified employment as a goal will immediately be linked with employment support, whether through rehabilitation staff in the CORE program or through the IPS Employment Specialist

Uplift Individual preferences

– IPS is a person-centered model, meaning that everyone is engaged in a person-centered planning process to identify their preferences related to jobs and employment

Maintain a caseload of 16-18 CORE clients in meaningful, productive and supportive relationships

The Employment/IPS Specialist will provide onsite, telehealth and community-based services to meet the needs of the client

Provide both in-person and community-based services

Provide employment-related assistance via telehealth and face-to-face, both onsite and in the community.

A minimum of 51% of service time is delivered off-site, fostering authentic community connections

Qualifications
The ideal candidate brings a genuine passion for helping others achieve their goals through work. They should possess or be quickly able to acquire the following skills and abilities:

Excellent interpersonal communication including the ability to establish empathic, empowering relationships with people who have experienced psychiatric and co-occurring disabilities and trauma

Sound communication and organizational skills

Strong computer skills as an electronic record and e-health information exchange is used daily

Experience/comfort with utilizing multiple Telehealth platforms for video conferencing.

Have flexibility to work in office facilitating groups and creativity in conducting remote groups.

Basic knowledge of the public health/behavioral health system, public entitlements, and psychiatric recovery are needed.

Knowledge/interest in working with young adults, particularly those navigating early recovery, is a plus.

We strongly encourage applicants with personal, lived recovery experience to apply — your perspective is valued and makes a difference.

Training and understanding in substance abuse and/or learning disabilities a plus.

Knowledge and experience with Cognitive Behavioral practice is a plus.

Knowledge/interest in Dual Diagnosis recovery a plus.

Minimum 6 months of personal or professional experience in human services (paid or unpaid)

An ability to travel independently, or with reasonable accommodations, throughout the community and outreach with local employers

Bi-lingual, English/Spanish a plus.

Education
A bachelor’s degree in a human services or health-related discipline with at least two years of relevant experience is required. Candidates holding master’s degrees in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field are strongly encouraged to apply. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

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