Employment Specialist

Mohawk Opportunities is committed to helping individuals living with Mental Illness and those who are homeless achieve stable community living and independence by providing:

• Housing that is safe and affordable.
• Services that facilitate growth and recovery. 
• Relationships built on a foundation of caring and respect, and
• A sense of hope for the future.

Responsibilities of the Employment Specialist:        

• Collaborate with the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT Team) and other agency programs to identify individuals expressing a desire to work and to support these individuals to achieve successful employment.  This includes development, planning and implementation of individualized employment opportunities using the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. 
• Engage with identified individuals to assess strengths, employment experience, and areas of interest. Assist with resume writing, completing applications and scheduling job interviews. Provide individualized skill building, engage and support individuals during the interview process or on the job using a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach.  Services will be provided in an individual’s home, community, places of employment or office.
•  Cultivate relationships with employers to develop a pipeline of opportunities for rapid job placement.
• Provide transportation to Individuals when necessary, using agency vehicles. In addition, an employee must be approved to drive agency and personal vehicles for business purposes by maintaining a valid NYS driver’s license and must be approved by the agency’s vehicle insurance carrier. An employee must always drive in a safe manner, use all safety devices and be medically able to drive.  Willingness to use own vehicle for community outreach unless transporting an individual.

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications for the Employment Specialist include:

• Associate degree in human services required; bachelor’s degree in human services preferred.
• Two years’ experience with job placement/coaching experience with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. In addition, experience in building relationships and securing job placement with employers.
• Ability to be flexible, have excellent organizational skills, and ability to follow through with multiple tasks.  Multitask while remaining professional, focused, and positive.
• Must have a strong commitment to the rights and ability of each personal living with mental health and substance use challenges to make their own decisions and choices, live in the community, work, and have access to continuous support and services to enhance wellness and recovery.
• Valid and insurable driver’s license.
• Must have own vehicle to use for business purposes.  Agency vehicles are available for individual transportation.

Benefits

Salary and Schedule of the Employment Specialist:

• $24.00-$26.00/hour based on experience. Annual equivalent of $49,920-54,080/annual equivalent based on experience.
• 40 hours per week.  Monday-Friday, daytime hours with some flexibility of evening and weekend hours based on individuals’ needs.
• Excellent benefits, staff training, generous paid time off, and 30-minute paid lunch. 
• Supportive work environment.
• Culture of Caring.