Job Description:

Job Title: Employment Specialist 

Location: Springfield, Missouri 

Department: Recovery Services 

Employment Type: Full-time 

Job Summary: 
Join our compassionate Recovery Services team as an Employment Specialist, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment. In this role, you will provide individualized career planning, job development, and retention services, helping clients achieve their personal and employment goals. We are looking for someone who is dedicated, flexible, and possesses strong communication and customer service skills. Your efforts will not only support clients in their job search but also educate employers on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive workforce. 

As an Employment Specialist, you will conduct client orientations, assist with benefits planning, and create employer relationships to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities. Your advocacy and support will empower clients to navigate their career paths successfully. 

This position offers… 
• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost  
• Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel 
• Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition 
• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce 
• Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more 

Key Responsibilities: 
• Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect. 
• Adhere to confidentiality, CARF, and contractual standards during service provision. 
• Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological, and educational information to assist clients with individualized career planning. 
• Schedule and participate in team meetings to discuss individual clients and their employment goals. 
• Conduct client orientations to explain services and discuss rights and responsibilities. 
• Assist clients with career planning through interviews, community activities, and vocational counseling. 
• Provide individualized benefits planning at the onset of services and when making decisions about work changes. 
• Teach and reinforce job-seeking and job retention skills with clients. 
• Create employer relationships and provide services to develop competitive employment opportunities. 
• Advocate for clients with employers and educate them on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. 
• Promote services and clients professionally through community events and presentations. 
• Maintain frequent contact with referral sources to discuss shared clients and identify potential referrals. 
• Report job development outcomes and relevant information to the supervisor regularly. 
• Respond to crises that may occur with clients at their worksite. 
• Travel extensively to conduct job development and support, including transporting clients. 
• Provide on-site or off-site job supports for clients as required. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership. 

Education, Experience, and/or Credential 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. 
• At least one year of experience providing employment services. 

Additional Qualifications: 
• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check. 
• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance. 
• Must provide evidence of being free of infectious and contagious diseases, such as TB, prior to beginning employment and annually thereafter. 

Physical Requirements: 
• Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull objects. 
• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. 
• Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met. 

Keywords: Employment Specialist, Career Planning, Job Development, Disabilities, Recovery Services, Vocational Counseling, Job Retention, Advocacy, Community Resources, Inclusion 

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.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.