Employment Specialist (IPS) - Community Support Program

Description

The Bridge is an innovative and well-respected mental health agency serving adults with serious behavioral health diagnoses, substance use issues, and co-occurring medical conditions. The Bridge envisions a world where adults with mental illness can thrive in the Community. Our mission is to change lives by offering help, hope, and opportunity to vulnerable adults in New York City. We work from a Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed perspective and acknowledge the impact that systemic racism has had on the communities we serve.

The IPS Employment Specialist will play a pivotal role in empowering consumers to achieve meaningful employment. Employment Specialists assess employment preferences, provide benefits counseling, and support job readiness through coaching and resource connections. Networking with local employers and maintaining client relationships will be key, with at least 65% of services delivered in the community—conducting visits in residences, shelters, and other community settings. This field-based position covers 3 ACT teams in either the Bronx or Manhattan, offering a dynamic opportunity to impact lives through sustainable employment solutions.

Essential Position Functions:

• Use the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model to identify consumers who have a vocational goal, assess consumers' vocational preferences and readiness, support consumers in finding and maintaining employment, and provide benefits counseling.
• Develop networks and relationships with local employers for job development.
• Collaborate with consumers’ support networks as needed to promote progress and success in their vocational goals.
• Use motivational interviewing, recovery, and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
• Complete foundational and ongoing training as required by the Office of Mental Health and The Bridge.
• Provide at least 65% percent of services in the community, including but not limited to conducting client visits in their residences, shelters, and community locations while networking with local employers for job development.
• Attend and participate in daily team meetings with ACT team members to discuss clients’ clinical and case management issues and needs.
• Complete documentation required by the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) licensing guidelines, NYS Medicaid billing guidelines (when services are Medicaid reimbursable) as well as per The Bridge ACT Policy and Procedures.
• Utilize best and evidence-based approaches to treatment consistent with The Bridge’s’ organizational culture; health/mental health integration, rehabilitation, and recovery, and understanding the impact of trauma on treatment engagement.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 3 years of experience providing direct services to individuals with a serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and co-morbid medical conditions in a community-based setting with at least 2 years of experience providing Employment Services.
• A high degree of computer literacy is necessary including competence with EHR.
• Demonstrated expertise in recovery-oriented, evidence-based practice.
• Experience with the IPS model is highly desired.
• Highly organized and self-motivated.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated experience with diverse adults receiving mental health treatment, including delivery of treatment to individuals with serious mental illness, functional impairments, and psychosocial needs (homelessness, justice involvement, poverty, unemployment)
• Bilingual Spanish is highly preferred.

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $40,000 - $45,000