Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living
Employment Specialist
Job Description
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Interact with clients and staff members in a manner that is respectful and empowering
- Consistent and dependable attendance
- Attend all mandatory staff meetings, program meetings and trainings.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:
The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing individual advocacy and support to consumers to facilitate the development of their employment goals. The employment specialist provides opportunities for individuals to conduct rapid job search to obtain competitive employment, or job training and meeting requirements for employment. The employment specialist will work with consumers to develop self-help skills, build support networks, and increase awareness of community resources, including Department of Labor Job Center services and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The employment specialist provides support to students that want to enroll in GED, Diploma and College courses. The employment specialist serves as a role model for recovery as someone who is a self-identified former or current consumer of mental health, serious emotional disturbance experience, or co-occurring services who can relate to others through their own recovery process.
ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist individuals in setting and attaining personal recovery-oriented goals related to employment and education.
- Provide family members with information on support resources available through groups and organizations in the state of Alaska.
- Provide outreach to consumers who miss scheduled sessions, appear to need support, or have been discharged from programs, training or employment.
- Assist individuals in identifying barriers to their recovery, and develop strategies to overcome them.
- Provide education and advocacy within the community that promotes awareness of mental health, serious emotional disturbance, OUD and co-occurring disorders, and reduces barriers such as stigma and misconceptions.
- When appropriate, actively participate in team meetings, discharge planning meetings and other interventions involving individuals they work with to provide support and advocacy.
- Work with consumers and staff to identify community supports and help individuals understand how to utilize these educational and employment resources in their process of recovery.
- Assist individuals in developing and utilizing employment and educational supports and resources in the community (e.g. tutors, job center, UAF support groups)
- Assist individuals in utilizing resources to help them become more independent (e.g. public transportation, support groups, using computers, obtain library card, training, vocational services, education, finances, health and wellness, etc.)
- Encourage and support individuals in making and keeping scheduled appointments in the community.
- Complete the ACRE Professional for Employment Services and Peer Support Training within 6 months.
- Attend IPS training when offered by the State of Alaska.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- An Associate’s Degree in Human Services or closely related field or equivalent life experience,
- Ability to pass a background check or get a variance from the State of Alaska,
- Possess strong communication skills,
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team,
- Ability to establish trusting relationships with consumers,
- Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles,
- Ability to handle sensitive issues in a mature, confidential manner with integrity and compassion.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- One year of Supported Employment experience ,
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or closely related field,
- One year of experience working with individuals with Severe Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorder.
SUPERVISION:
The position of Employment Specialist is directly accountable to the assigned Employment Specialist Coordinator. Each Employment Specialist is required to attend a face to face supervision each week.
HOURS: Full-time 37.5 hours on Call, some evening and weekend work required.
If interested, please send a letter of interest to iac@iacnvl.org.
