PRPSN Career

Job Title:

Employment Specialist

Job Description:

Location: Huntington Park

FLSA: Non-exempt

Hours: Monday through Friday (Shifts will vary; evenings, nights, weekends, holidays)

Reports to: Training Manager

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general supervision of the Training Manager, the Employment Specialist works with members to provide information, peer-to-peer support and/or self-help services as needed or requested. Peer Professional Training and Placement Program is designed to assist participants in our training program obtain the support necessary to transition into volunteer or paid employment positions in the Public Mental Health System. This position is reserved for an individual with lived experience in the mental health system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Please note that the duties may vary depending on department size, organizational structure and/or geographic location. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. Additional duties may be assigned. 

Work activities may include all of the following:

• Encourages and promotes an environment that is strength based to assist members in meeting their individual goals
• Outreach and networks with other programs in the community and conducts program presentations as needed, to obtain program referrals and maintain program maximum capacity
• Work in conjunction with the PPTP training program to provide trainings to program participants
• Conducts screening interviews, assists with the completion of employment applications 
• Engages members and assesses members’ work readiness.  Assists members with identifying barriers they may have to obtaining employment in the community.
• Assists member with the development of their resumes, email, job searching, interview skills and follow up communication. 
• Assists/coaches members in the development of job search skills, transportation arrangements, resume preparation, interviewing techniques and job retention.
• Facilitates Work Readiness/ Pre-employment Workshops 
• Meets with members on a weekly basis or more frequently as needed.
• Keeps program staff informed about member performance and support needs and follows up to assure all issues are addressed.
• Attends meetings as assigned, including monthly cross program employment meetings, service team meetings and staff meetings.
• Develops and maintains skills in the employment field through seminars, workshops or other forms of training/education.
• Communicates effectively in a culturally competent and diverse member population and promotes favorable interaction with managers, co-workers and others.
• Collects program data as required to assist with the completion and submission of reports to Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• Collaborates with local governmental departments (i.e. Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Social Security Administration (SSI), to secure member benefits and necessary documentation
• Contribute to and supports a culturally diverse and sensitive environment. Maintains an open and cooperative approach. Provides an environment of acceptance that supports and respects people of different gender, ethnicities, cultural values, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, age, disability, family composition and socio-economic status.
• Maintains a clean, positive and supportive work environment and a general spirit of cooperation. Is a team player who maintains effective working relationships and communicates clearly in a respectful and professional manner with staff, members and outside agencies.
• Works cooperatively with others to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of comprehensive services to members, attends required trainings and meetings and participates actively in the community life of the worksite.
• Maintains records and documentation as required for program compliance and coordination.
• Must have a desire to work with individuals impaired by extreme distress / mental illness and believe in an individual’s ability to recover from disabling mental distress.   
• Must verbalize an initial and ongoing understanding of environmental variables that may present while performing administrative tasks and/or providing direct services as an PRPSN employee (i.e. individuals presenting at the agency in extreme emotional states).
• Must exhibit good personal judgment, a non-bias attitude, sensitivity, and discretion when dealing with other individuals. Must demonstrate the skills and ability to “work and play well with others” interacting with co-workers, program participants, family members and community partners effectively and responding appropriately when experiencing interpersonal conflict with others.
• Models PRPSN approach, mission and core values in all communication and correspondence.
• Other duties as assigned by the Training Manager.

Skills:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The following are the minimum qualifications, which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Please note that the minimum qualifications may vary based upon the department size and/or geographic location. This position is reserved for an individual who has personal lived experience with the mental health system.  This position is reserved for a person who is recovery from a mental health issue.  

OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum three to five years administrating social services or experience providing general clerical administrative duties  and educational/training support services, experience in a non-profit setting is highly preferred..
•  Ability to work extended periods of time with a minimum of supervision, especially in identifying and initiating meaningful activities to stay busy and productive. 
• Experience as a trainer preferred
• Ability to be an integral part of a team, create a welcoming environment and respectfully set limits.
• Knowledgeable in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, Publisher, Power Point and Adobe preferred. Must have a flexible work schedule, and be willing to work occasional weekends and holidays. 
• Class C driver’s license, daily access to a car and proof of valid automobile insurance.
• All employees that drive personal vehicles for daily job functions must provide proof of auto liability insurance of a 30,000 / 60,000 policy upon the first day of employment, maintain required coverage amounts and provide ongoing documents.

Physical Demands: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow different individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Must be able to bend, stoop, lift, and push up to 25 pounds or a regular basis, stand and move intermittently throughout the work day.

Benefits:

Health Benefits
We offer a choice between two different HMO's, dental and vision care.

Paid Time Off
We offer a combination of 11 holidays, 2 weeks of sick time, 2 weeks of vacation time and 2 personal days off per full time employee

403 B Retirement
We offer a voluntary 403 B retirement plan for your future

Employee Assistance Program
We offer an EAP that is confidential and supportive for personal, family and work issues. EAP is available 24/7