At Episcopal Community Services (ECS), employees work with participants who may be experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use challenges, and other difficult life circumstances. While this work is meaningful and mission-driven, it can at times be stressful, demanding, or unpredictable. Employees are expected to exercise sound judgment, remain aware of their surroundings, follow established safety, communication, and de-escalation procedures, participate in all required trainings, and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions, in accordance with ECS policies and procedures.
This position is a fully onsite, client-facing role that requires in-person interaction and direct service delivery to participants at ECS program locations. Due to the essential nature of the duties and the need for consistent in-person engagement with clients, remote work or work-from-home arrangements are not available for this position.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Carries out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting clients to obtain and maintain competitive employment that is consistent with their vocational goals through job coaching, job development, job readiness support, retention support, and referrals to training. This role involves strong employer relations skills, and 65% time in the community, in adherence with the evidence-based IPS model.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.
- Assesses clients' vocational skills and preferences on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides information and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of mental health status to employers.
- Develops an individual employment and/or education plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with client permission.
- Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community, for example, meets clients at their homes, workplaces, coffee shops, libraries, One-Stop offices, state VR office, family homes, helps clients follow up on job applications.
- Helps clients learn about different jobs/careers by facilitating meetings with workers/managers to ask about positions that interest clients, meetings with academic advisors, observing workers (one day or less in duration), and attending job fairs to speak with employers about different types of jobs.
- Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
- Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program, and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
- Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from family members (with client permission) and the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.
- Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients. May negotiate job accommodations and follow-along contact by the IPS specialist with the employer.
- Assists clients in obtaining individualized information about how entitlements (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) will be affected by employment so clients can make decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.
- Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
- Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. For example, returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follows up on job leads within 48 hours. Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.
- Participates in case conferencing at a cadence determined by client need, with meetings occurring at least monthly, and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment.
- Assists clients in learning about different education and vocational training programs related to client interests and academic aptitudes.
Documents all work and efforts with and on behalf of clients in the client management database.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and experience equivalent to undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, or business. Experience working with people with severe mental illness and/or experiencing homelessness, substance use disorder, or comorbidities. Experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred. Ability to work as an effective team member is essential.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Must secure finger image screening, annual TB screening and Live Scan. Must be able to pass CDCR background check. Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position which may include long periods at a desk and/or computer workstation, the ability to stand, sit, kneel, reach, bend and lift up to 50 pounds, and the ability to actively work in the field 65% of the time.
Mission Essential
- Demonstrate behavior that supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
- Adhere to all program, funder, and organizational policies, and procedures.
- Communicate effectively and model integrity, fairness, and ethical business practices.
ECS offers industry leading healthcare benefits to support your
physical and mental well-being.
ECS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records as consistent with San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.
ECS values a workplace where every individual is respected, supported, and given equal opportunity to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Skills Required
- Education equivalent to an undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, or business
- Experience working with people with severe mental illness, homelessness, substance use disorder, or comorbidities
- Ability to work as an effective team member
- Ability to spend 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community (field work)
- Ability to meet physical requirements including long periods at a desk, standing, kneeling, reaching, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds
- Pass fingerprint/finger image screening, annual TB screening, Live Scan, and CDCR background check
- Experience providing employment services and knowledge of the work world
What We Do
Episcopal Community Services provides approximately $45 million in health and human services in the areas of homelessness, mental health, poverty, addiction, and early childhood education, impacting more than 10,500 individuals and families annually. Operating under its mission to break barriers and transform communities, ECS inspires children and empowers adults by providing vital, high-quality social services that encourage healthy interdependence.
