Employment Specialist Job Details Job Location Chicago - 1100 W Cermak B414 - Chicago, IL Position Type Full Time Education Level High School Salary Range $20.00 - $20.00 Hourly Description Position Summary: Responsible for screening and assessing for vocational and training needs for participants. Will work to enhance vocational readiness skill and identifying employment opportunities and will assist participants in obtaining GED and other vocational training as requested. Essential Job Functions: + Prepare lesson plans, administer interest inventories and other appropriate testing/screening/assessment tools, and instruct adults in vocational skills, including interviewing, resume writing, work behaviors, work skills, etc. + Evaluate and monitor clients’ vocational/occupational skills performance. + Assist clients in securing and maintaining employment. Assist clients who are disabled and cannot work, in securing volunteer positions as appropriate. + Work with outside agencies, local businesses, and schools to coordinate further training for job placement. + Work with employers and other groups to develop appropriate community employment positions. + Complete documentation of services on provided from in a timely manner. + Provide input into the client’s treatment service need and disposition. + Assist all other WestCare staff as needed in a collaborative manner to promote cooperation and portray a professional image to the community. + Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation. Qualifications Essential Qualifications: + One (1) + years’ experience in a similar capacity: experience working with adults in a substance abuse or mental health setting preferred. + Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the vocational counseling field. + Ability to work collaboratively with others in a manner that is pleasant and professional. + Ability to work well in a team environment. + Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion. + Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Word program formats or the ability to learn. + Ability to respond as needed to crisis situations in an efficient manner. + Ability to complete work tasks withing schedule work hours. + Excellent verbal and written communication skills + Willing to seek out new work projects and contribute ideas and efforts to the constant improvement of WestCare Cermak services. + During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you. Education: + Bachelor’s Degree in vocational counseling or related field preferred. + High School or equivalent plus experience in a similar position. Working Conditions: + Work is performed primarily in a professional office setting. + Regular attendance is required. Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation: Physical Demands: + Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de-escalation techniques. + Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. + Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication. + Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility. + The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee. Mental Demands: + Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. + Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions. + Requires the ability to work under time deadlines.