Employment Specialist (IPS)

COVID-19 considerations:
In response to COVID-19, we have instituted many safeguards to protect our employees by requiring that all staff and clients be required to wear masks prior to entering our facility, are COVID symptom screened and contact traced, we are taking temperature checks daily, and have installed a clear protective barrier at our front desk.

Please note: You may be required to take a COVID-19 test prior to entering the facility.

Bonita House, Inc. (BHI) is a well-respected nonprofit mental health agency with multiple sites in Alameda County and an operating budget of $10 million. It was founded in 1971. BHI is also a social rehabilitation agency providing a full range of Medi-Cal services to adults with co-occurring serious mental health and substance use disorders.

CASA UBUNTU is funded through Alameda County’s Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) funding and is designed to actively outreach, engage, and provide a full range of services 100 adults in northern Alameda County who have mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Agency Values:                                                                                         

Compassion: Committed to caring, dignity and kindness

Respect: Honor each individual and provide highly ethical services

Progress: Leading the way in creating opportunities to change for the better

Resilience: Channeling hope, building strengths to successfully recover, adapt and grow

Embracing Differences: Honor and celebrate our diverse communities and individual uniqueness

Position Summary:

The Individual Placement and Support employment specialist is responsible for developing relationships with local employers in order to create appropriate job opportunities for clients who are dually diagnosed (mental health and substance use disorder) mild to moderate individuals.

Qualifications: 

***Resumes must include their start and end dates in MM/YYYY  format in order to be considered.***

Required:

• High School Diploma or Associated degree with 4 years of employment services experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member.
• Knowledge of various job development strategies, local labor market trends in a range of occupational fields, and community resources.
• Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn specialized databases and software including Electronic Health Record (E.H.R.) systems.
• Understand and follow HIPAA and PHI guidelines and regulations.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.

• Demonstrated ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.
• Must have a valid California Driver License, a driving record acceptable by the Agency’s insurance company; own a vehicle that you are willing to use as part of your employment and proof of personal vehicle insurance.
• Must be able to meet the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 requirements.

Preferred:

• Lived experience
• Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS);

                -AA, AS plus six years’ experience in social work, mental health or closely related field

                 or

                -BA, BS plus 4 years’ experience in social work, mental health or closely related field

• Prior sales, marketing, or coaching experience
• Bilingual in English/Spanish, or other languages
• Knowledge of regional workforce development and social service systems is strongly preferred.

Essential Functions/Skills:

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings.
• Develops an individual employment plan with a career profile with the client and other treatment team providers and updates it quarterly.
• 65% or 26 hours per week of total scheduled work hours (40) is spent in the community engaging clients, contacting employers for job development, and providing follow-along supports.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on the caseload.
• Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicare, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities.
• Comply with all state Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) regulations and CARF standards, as well as all agency policies and procedures.
• Assist clients explore educational and vocational training opportunities with a focus on job readiness.
• Conducts job site analyses and makes independent and calculated decisions regarding an employer’s appropriateness for clientele. Maintains a highly effective knowledge base regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Educates employers on the ADA and the benefits of employing quality employees with disabilities; identify any potential barriers and work to provide solutions.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Benefits:

• Medical- Kaiser 
• Dental- Delta Dental - DentalPremier coverage including adult orthodontia 
• Vision- VSP - Signature Plan
• Life and AD&D- Lincoln Life Insurance Company
• Long Term Disability- Reliance
• FSA- Sterling
• Chiropractic and Acupuncture- Landmark
• 12 Holidays and 23 days of PTO accrued during first year
• Retirement- Mutual of America 

 
EOE AA M/F/V/Disability:

BHI is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law (“Protected Status”).