About this role
Job Description:
The Vocational Support Specialist (VSS) is responsible for providing on/off site training and support for clients during skill development, career planning, and employment retention. A VSS will conduct instructional activities related to soft, work, and independent living skills. A VSS may be responsible for locating competitive job sites in the community, contacting employers, and conducting job site analyses. A VSS completes necessary reports and paperwork, as assigned.
Essential Job Functions:
Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.
Adhere to all confidentiality, CARF, and contractual standards during provision of services.
Maintain flexibility in work availability including evenings, weekends and overnight shifts.
Develop and maintain a working knowledge of disabilities and potential assistive technology/accommodations that can support individuals with disabilities to meet personal and employment goals.
Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological and educational information, and utilize this information to assist clients with skill development, career planning and employment retention.
Contribute to and/or develop individualized service plans with clients.
Conduct activities identified within clients’ individualized service plans.
Coordinate paid, work-based learning experiences with participants to include orientation, new hire paperwork and timesheets, in individual and group settings.
Transport clients to carry out goals and objectives identified in their individualized service plan.
Monitor and report on progress toward individualized service plan goals.
Ensure authorizations for services are current and services provided fall within date ranges of authorizations.
Track and report units of service relative to clients’ authorizations to ensure utilization does not exceed authorized services (daily, monthly or overall).
Complete daily, weekly, monthly and activity based reporting as required for function being performed.
Instruct and facilitate clients’ pre-vocational/vocational, social and independent living skill development.
Develop strategies, lessons and/or curriculum necessary to facilitate skill development based on clients’ individualized service plans.
Establish community-based sites for carrying out skill development and career planning activities.
Assist clients to determine what they learned about themselves regarding strengths, needs, abilities and preferences as it relates to their personal and employment goals.
Provide onsite job supports to assist clients with learning and performing their job duties, interacting with co- workers, and developing natural supports.
Implement a variety of job support techniques to accommodate learning styles and unique needs of clients being supported, including physically assisting with completion of job duties when necessary.
Serve as a liaison between employers, clients and co-workers by assisting clients to acclimate to the requirements, culture and social/behavioral expectations of their work environment.
Educate employers regarding benefits of hiring persons with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations (e.g., assistive technology adaptations, job carving, etc.).
Provide off site job supports such as coordinating additional services, benefits and financial planning/reporting, transportation/bus training and other essential supports as identified in the individualized service plan.
Facilitate long-term employment success by implementing on site/off site job supports adhering to the support type, frequency, location and method of contact with clients identified in the Extended Services Plan.
Respond to crisis situations that may occur with clients at their worksite.
Maintain frequent contact with referral sources for the purpose of discussing shared clients and identifying potential referrals.
Teach and reinforce job seeking and job retention skills with clients.
Create employer relationships and provide customer service to all employers designed to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
Serve as an advocate for clients with employers, referral sources and other stakeholders (family, schools, other social service agencies, etc).
Promote the organization, services and clients in a professional manner with employers and through participation in community events and awareness activities, this may include making presentations or public speaking.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The individual should possess strong customer service skills, have skilled computer knowledge (Word, Excel, internet platforms, other electronic media) and be able to communicate effectively and accurately in verbal and written form.
The individual should have an understanding of supporting individuals with disabilities and/or barriers to employment, education, and/or independent living.
Experience and Education Qualifications:
A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required; an associate’s or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.
Experience in rehabilitation, employment services, case management, social services or other applicable experience is preferred.
Supervisory Requirements:
None
Employment Requirements:
Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect and fingerprint check.
Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.
Physical Requirements:
ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Position Perks & Benefits:
Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life
Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness
Brightli is on a Mission:
A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.
As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.
Other facts
About Brightli
Brightli is the one of the largest behavioral health and addiction treatment providers in the U.S. We operate as the parent company of Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Brightli Foundation, Firefly Supported Living & Employment Services, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Adult & Child Health, Comprehensive Mental Health Serivces, and Places for People (effective 7/1/24). Bringing these organizations together under one parent company is a groundbreaking solution to the healthcare needs of the communities we serve. Working under the parent company model allows us to share resources, increase access to care, and, ultimately, save more lives.
What you'll do
- The Vocational Support Specialist provides training and support for clients in skill development, career planning, and employment retention. They also conduct job site analyses and coordinate work-based learning experiences.
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