FCS Employment Specialist

Foundational Community Support Team

$21.75 - $29.67

Additional compensation may include shift differentials, stipends and/or longevity pay.

Full Time

Monday – Friday 8am to 430pm

Comprehensive Life Resources is looking for a qualified Employment Specialist to join our Outreach team in Tacoma, WA.

We Offer - Medical, Dental, and Vision with 100% paid premiums for employees. 11 paid holidays, 403(b)-retirement plan, Life Insurance, Long term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (up to 6 consultations per year), Mileage reimbursement, Tuition Assistance, Paid Sick leave and Vacation, Bereavement Leave, Student Loan Repayment, and Continuing Education Assistance. All benefits contingent on working a scheduled 40hrs a week.

Work Expectations:

This is an outreach position.  Meaning more than half of your work will be in the field, at homeless encampments, shelters, and/or in a community house placement. You should be aware that these conditions are often not sanitary.  Being a licensed and insured driver is a requirement of the position and sometimes, employees will be expected to transport clients in their personal vehicles. 

Working conditions include walking, standing, hiking, bending, cleaning, or walking upstairs for extended periods of times.  It is important for your own safety that you understand you will be expected to maneuver around unsteady terrain.

Our Homeless Services are often called to intervene during all-weather emergencies including the heat, snow, rain, smoke, and other extreme weather.

Scope

This position carries out the community-based case management and support services of the Foundational Community Support (FCS) program by assisting individuals experiencing employment barriers due to chronic homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and/or chronic physical illness to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.

The person in this position builds strong relationships in the community with employers, local businesses, social service agencies, and other partners. This includes negotiating with employers; generating leads; managing participant/employer relations; and providing job development, skill building, and vocational support.

Responsibilities

• Engages client and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings.

• Assists clients with obtaining information about their benefits (SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and helps them make good decisions about employment opportunities.

• Complete vocational assessments and develop individual employment and/or education plan with clients; coordinate with treatment teams regarding goals.

• Provides individualized follow-along support to assist clients with maintaining employment.

• Be trained and use Motivational Interviewing and other evidence-based practices

• Connect clients with internal and external supports and services.

• Attend/facilitate treatment team meetings, staff meetings, and designated staff training and consultation sessions as assigned.

• Ensure that ethical and professional standards of practice are maintained by following all CLR policies and seeking regular consultation.

• Actively participate in clinical supervision and training for continued professional growth.

Competencies

• Willingness to understand and respect diverse backgrounds and a commitment to culturally competent practice.

• Demonstrates ethical decision-making skills and appropriate boundaries.

• Promote whole health care as a key to people’s recovery and quality of life.

• Open to feedback, is accountable, and contributes to a positive work environment.

• Develops and maintains a self-care plan, including seeking supervision when needed.

• Ability to complete paperwork within required timeframes, meeting content requirements.

• Able to meet weekly client service provisions (hours of service).

• Ability to seek out and learn about available community supports and resources for assigned clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social services (psychology, behavioral science, sociology, human services, vocational rehabilitation, etc.) preferred
• 1+ years’ experience working in the human services, mental health, sales or related field preferred
• Knowledge of educational processes and housing opportunities preferred.
• WA State credential or ability to become credentialed
• If this role requires driving, must have valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and working vehicle.
• Proficiency in common Microsoft applications
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize deadlines, work independently, take initiative, and maintain confidentiality

Comprehensive Life Resources is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, disability status, and any other applicable legally protected characteristics and or class.