PROS Employment Specialist

When you work for Gateway Hudson Valley, you make a difference in people’s lives.

Our Vision: To be a leader in supporting individuals as they strive to achieve a hopeful, satisfying, active, and contributing life.

Rate of pay commensurate with years of experience in position at GHV in position.

We offer Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement, Holidays, and generous PTO

POSITION SUMMARY

To function as part of the PROS team as a facilitator and a vocational counselor, to support individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment in the community. Assists in accessing the services necessary to achieve their vocational goals. Responsible for developing employment opportunities, preparing individuals for employment and provide on-site/off-site training, facilitation vocational groups in the PROS program and in developing vocational curriculum.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Function as a member of the PROS team in the program.
• Collaborate with individuals to develop an Individual Recovery Plan and Job Search Plan.  Develop strategies to implement objectives identified in the Individual Recovery Plan and Job Search Plan.
•  Identify potential employment barriers, clarify short term goals and identify the services and supports/ accommodations individual will require to choose, obtain and maintain employment a minimum of two times per month.
• Be present for any and all community networking opportunities.

• Assess individual’s job seeking skills and provide job seeking skills training: locating employment opportunities, resume writing, completing job applications, employment interviewing.
• Provide benefits counseling to ensure that individuals are informed of how employment will affect benefits.
• Upon job placement, Provide on-going assessment of individuals’ levels of skill performance as they relate to maintaining employment and, as needed, implement training intervention based on the demands explicit and implicit of the work role and site.
• Provide disclosure and accommodation counseling and maintain contact with employer as necessary.
• Facilitate psychiatric rehabilitation groups including:
•  Wellness self-management services designed to develop or improve individual’s personal coping skills
• Basic living skills training designed to improve individual’s ability to perform the basic skills critical to his/her recovery.
• Goal setting and vocational exploration classes to help support and maintain competitive employment.
• Other skill trainings as requested
• Complete and maintain documentation in a timely and accurate manner including: individualized goal-oriented service plans, progress notes, and other required documentation to support medical necessity of services for Medicaid billable services and per all other OMH and agency regulations and requirements. Maintain confidentiality of client records.
• Provide service to and maintain caseloads for:
•  Individuals seeking to obtain and maintain employment
• Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness attending PROS program  
• Provide Individual Placement Services (IPS) including internship and job development services.
• Provide Ongoing Rehabilitation Support (ORS) services to support individuals in overcoming barriers related to their mental health disorder that may affect job retention.
• Maintain electronic case records in a timely manner and complying with OMH and Medicaid regulations and agency policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with team members in interdisciplinary team setting.
• Maintain communication with referral sources, treatment team and other interested parties, as indicated.
• Provide transportation to individuals, as needed.
• Provide information and referrals for non-work related services.
• Provide crisis intervention, as needed.

*Driving required

*Responsibilities may change as organizational needs dictate.  The above list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills and responsibilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree plus one year experience in human services or a related field preferred
• Associate’s degree and two years related experience accepted
• High school diploma and three years related experience accepted

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be reviewed per ADA standards.

• Must be able to sit or stand for 8 hours/day
• Must be able to bend down or kneel occasionally (1-2 times/week)
• Must be able to use hands, wrists, and fingers with full range of motion
• Driving

REGULATORY CLEARANCES REQUIRED:

• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License.
• Background checks are required.

We are an EEO/AA employer.