Job Description: Job Title: Vocational Support Specialist (VSS)Location: Poplar Bluff, Missouri Employment Type: Full-time Job Summary: 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. Position Perks & Benefits: + Paid time off - 29 days per year including vacation & holiday pay + Mileage reimbursement - company paid for work functions requiring travel + 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 Key Responsibilities: + 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 Education and/or Experience 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 Required License/Certification (one of the following): + Must have current or be willing to obtain certification in CPR/First Aid Additional Qualifications: + 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 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 use 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 value diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about empowering your local communities and promoting health equity, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization that is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors. Supported Living and Employment Services is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace. About Brightli 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 use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients. We are doing this by forming a new behavioral health organization under new model. Under one parent company, multiple organizations are able to collaborate, share resources and system supports, increase recruiting and retention efforts, increase access to specialized care, and meet the growing demand for behavioral and addiction recovery care. Brightli’s top-line subsidiaries include Burrell Behavioral Health (Burrell), Preferred Family Healthcare (PFH), and Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health (SEMO). While these organizations operate independently and are governed by separate board of directors, their operations and services benefit from this model. Alone, organizations may be able to navigate the current tumultuous healthcare environment, but we believe that together we can do so much more than survive. Our communities need us now more than ever, and by working together we are ready to answer their call for years to come. Brightli Snapshot + 200 locations + 4 states + 19 subsidiaries and/or affiliates + 5k+ employees