Employment Specialist (Vocational Counselor)

Title:                     Employment Specialist (Vocational Counselor)

Program:              Next Step ACE

Salary Range:      $45,000 to $54,000

Program Description:

Next Step ACE is an employment program for individuals with serious mental illness who seek meaningful jobs in the competitive employment market. The ACE Vocational Counselor will work one-on-one with clients to assess their capability and experience, address barriers to employment, and develop and implement vocational plans that provide them with the tools they need to find and retain employment. This will include preparing resumes, conducting mock job interviews, responding to job leads, assisting clients applying to online positions, and providing extensive retention support. The Vocational Counselor will also assist with outreach and recruitment efforts to help enroll new clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Next Step ACE, duties include but are not limited to: 

• Assessing client vocational skills and limitations. 
• Developing highly customized employment plans for each client. 
• Placing clients into jobs that result in job placement and retention milestone goals.
• Completing all client documentation, including weekly and monthly case notes that record services provided and outstanding issues to be addressed. 
• Entering client information and progress into various databases including Salesforce, NYESS, NYC MedPortal, and others as required. 
• Helping clients with full range of job preparation activities including preparing resumes, drafting cover letters, applying for jobs online, and practicing effective interview skills. 
• Advocating on a client’s behalf in all job-related issues (post-employment). 
• Providing retention support including regular in-person or phone/email contact. 
• Coordinating with other service providers to assist clients in meeting their goals. 
• Scheduling and conducting outreach for client recruitment. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• BA required, Master’s degree preferred in mental health, vocational counseling, social work, or related field. 
• Previous experience in vocational counseling and/or working with individuals with serious mental illness or similar populations is essential. 
• Two years of previous vocational experience required. 
• Computer proficiency is a must.

All newly hired Project Renewal staff must provide verification of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

We offer attractive compensation with comprehensive benefits including: Medical/Dental/Prescription/Vision/Life Insurance;403(b); FSAs (health care, dependent care & commuter expenses); Short-and-Long-Term Disability; Generous Paid Vacation, Personal Days, Sick and Holidays