Employment Specialist (QMHA) – Central City Concern

Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

The Employment Access Center is hiring a full time Mental Health Employment Specialist.  QMHA-I or QMHA-R required. This role qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus – $1,500 payable upon start, $1,500 payable after 6 months of service (subject to tax withholding.)

Duties will include: 

• Participate in outreach efforts to engage prospective clients/customers, including appointments, home visits, and community-based services.
• Provide assistance to customers in identifying areas of employment interest using a culturally sensitive, strengths-based orientation.
• Assist adult clients with disabilities find and keep competitive employment using the Supported Employment, IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model and follow the 8 principles of this model.
• Provide client assessment and develop employment/training plans.
• Monitor client progress. Counsel and guide clients in developing career and/or employment goals.
• Assist clients with long-term employment goals, create career profile, discusses client’s preference for disclosure of disability status to employers, and develops individual employment plan with client.
• Provide retention services including on site job coaching to ensure client success and employer satisfaction.  Explore with the employer and customer available alternatives to address barriers and focus on job retention.
• Job develop employment opportunities to match individual client needs by contacting and building relationships with employers. This includes developing relationships with employers, organizations, providers, community leaders, and advocacy groups in the community.
• Collaborate with community resource agencies to remove barriers, provide intervention and make referrals for issues including but not limited to mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.
• Maintain 26 hours a week of community time (Job developing, client meetings), and 6 Job Development Contacts. As well as a 40% employment rate for your caseload each month.
• Maintain client records as required by program standards and funding requirements including documentation of clinical interactions & participation in developing individual care plans.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary.

Skills and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge and skills in counseling and assessment techniques with individuals and groups including assessing for risk of danger to self and others.
• Basic knowledge and skills in mental health and substance use treatment methods, and crisis intervention.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in an environment subject to ambiguity and change.
• Advanced knowledge in assisting individuals to develop employment, training and supportive services plans and providing on-going support as they work to achieve goals.
• Ability to work in all environmental conditions. While job developing, there are times it is very hot outside, raining, and snowing.

Requirements:

1. Must be a registered QMHA prior to start. As well as having at least three years of experience working with individuals living with severe mental illness.
2. Has the competencies necessary to:
   1. Communicate effectively;
   2. Understand addictions and mental health treatment and service terminology and to apply the concepts;
   3. Provide psychosocial skills development; and
   4. Implement interventions prescribed on a treatment plan.
3. Must have current CPR certification prior to start.
4. Must embrace the mission and philosophy of recovery and client centered treatment.
5. If using a vehicle for agency use: Must possess a current driver’s license, access to a vehicle, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety policy; pass an initial driver training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training; and maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.
6. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
7. Must be able to perform considerable inter-city travel.

Benefits:  Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our employees:

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match!
• 10 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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