The Employment Specialist plays a central role in improving access to the IPS service by educating and collaborating with Outreach/In-Reach/Transitions/Post-transition and CST/ACTT/TMS providers to remove barriers and monitor referrals for successful enrollments. Applying these skills to those eligible for Transitions to Community Living.
This position may require travel throughout the Wake/Durham/Johnston/Cumberland/Orange and Harnett counties to provide support to providers in their area and will be required to come into the Alliance office, Morrisville North Carolina, at least one day a week.
Responsibilities & Duties
Program Support
Develop new Individual Placement and Support Supported Employment (IPS-SE) providers and provide technical assistance in the integration with of conversion from a fee-for-service IPS model into a milestone payment model such as NC CORE
Provide direct technical assistance to sustain existing IPS providers by working within the LME/MCO to sustain a stable NC CORE payment model standardized by the Department
Review all provider’s current UNC Institute for Best Practices IPS Fidelity Reviews, technically assist providers with recommended improvements, develop plans of correction for long-standing provider fidelity issues, and when required by reviewers assist during IPS Fidelity Reviews
Support facilitation of Employment Collaborative, including: technical support, and invite trainers to in-network IPS Collaboratives that include ACT Employment Specialists, and Peer-run Entities involved in IPS support, and participate in the IPS Steering Committee, if appointed
Maintain the departmentally required TCL IPS data in conjunction with Quality Assurance and/or other related cross-functional LME/MCO departments
Stakeholder and External Partner Relationships
Actively participate in local, regional, and statewide job development efforts with businesses and corporations wanting to competitively employ individuals with SMI/SPMI and link those efforts to their IPS providers’ workforce of the individuals they serve
Assist linkage between community colleges, universities, employer internships/apprenticeships, with IPS providers increasing TCL individuals’ access to supported education, technical training, job certification, internships, and apprenticeships
As opportunities arise, facilitate network development of other researched-based supported employment models aligned with the Settlement Agreement such as Customized Employment, Microenterprise, and similar nationally recognized models
Ensure and improve providers’ NC CORE linkage to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) offices throughout their catchment, attend key statewide VR meetings, invite VR offices into IPS collaboratives, and assertively engage VR regional leadership to problem-solve and improve NC CORE service to TCL members
Facilitate the expansion of benefits counseling within network providers, improve VR benefits counseling linkage, and when possible, improve relationships with Social Security Administration offices and IPS providers. Furthermore, serve as the point of contact with the Department for meetings involving the statewide benefits counseling electronic system as implemented
As the LME/MCO’s point of contact, collaborate and implement statewide Departmental efforts to expand, improve, and standardize IPS service models such as NC CORE
Minimum Requirements
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field and two (2) years post degree job experience or non-Human Service degree with 3 years, assisting special population with job coaching, obtaining competitive integrated employment, or other related employment activities, preferably utilizing Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) or other supportive employment models.
CIPS or CESP, or must obtain within 6 months of hire.
Preferred:
Advanced education that involved field training in Supported Employment services.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of resources and systems in the community that can assist with eliminating SDOH barriers to treatment and whole person living.
A high level of diplomacy and discretion is required
Problem solving, negotiation, arbitration and conflict resolution skills
Must be highly skilled at shifting between macro and micro level planning
Detail oriented
Ability to organize multiple tasks and priorities, and to effectively manage projects from start to finish.
Work activities and quickly adapt to mandated changes and priorities within the department.
The ability to change the focus of his/her activities to meet changing priorities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) is required.
Salary Range
$25.00-$32.50/Hourly
Exact compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, external market data and consideration of internal equity.
An excellent fringe benefit package accompanies the salary, which includes:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability
Generous retirement savings plan
Flexible work schedules including hybrid/remote options
Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, holiday, management leave
