Logo
Casa Esperanza, Inc.

Work Force Specialist (FUOP)

Casa Esperanza, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298


Casa Esperanza, Inc. is a bilingual/bicultural behavioral health treatment provider serving Boston and the Merrimack Valley. Our mission is to empower individuals and families to recover from addiction, trauma, mental illness, and other chronic medical conditions; overcome homelessness and discrimination; and achieve health and wellness through comprehensive, integrated care. Casa Esperanza has an operating budget of $13 million and more than $9 million in assets.About the role:Job Responsibilities:The role of the Work Force Program Specialist is to address the educational and vocational needs of Latine individuals with substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorders in order to increase their economic independence, stabilize their families, and support long-term success in recovery. In their role the Work Force Specialist will help individuals obtain and sustain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals and recovery. S/he will carry a caseload of about 20-25 individuals. S/he will assess clients’ vocational functioning, develop employment service plans and work with interdisciplinary team to ensure alignment; educate clients on job market and related skills; act as a liaison with employers, as needed; facilitate weekly skills development workshops; provide outreach to clients and key stakeholders, as needed; and ensure that benchmarks, timelines, goals and objectives are being met and reported as required.What you'll do:Program Planning and Service Delivery

Engages consumers and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in integrated job settings.Conduct client assessments to assess clients’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis and provide 1:1 job coaching.Develop Employment Service Plan goals consistent with client needs, interests, experience, skills and goals and update the plan quarterly.Educate clients on how to differentiate between options for rapid placement and long-term career paths.Provide clients with information about the job market and the skills and experience necessary to obtain and work successfully in a particular job.Train and develop independence skills related to employment, such as travel training, hygiene, self-advocacy, etc.Provide or coordinate transportation for groups or individual career seekers to interviews, employment assessments, job searching, and other employment activities in the community.Based on agreement with client, provide education and support to employers, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with employers.Conduct weekly workshops and individual sessions to support clients with development of interpersonal and inter-professional skills (i.e. resume preparation, job search, interviewing, computer literacy, multi-functional skill-building essentials, etc.).Co-facilitate computer lab hours to facilitate job search skills, online Microsoft tutorial, keyboarding tutorial, and GED prep courses.Complete training on Supported Employment curriculum, including in-service trainings based on SAMSHA’s TIP 38 workbook and demonstration videos.Provide outreach services to clients, as necessary, when they appear to disengage from SE services. If necessary, maintain some contact even without a vocational focus to sustain engagement.Collaborate with project team to identify key stakeholders (education, employment, community partners, etc.).Maintain required 30, 60, 90, 120-day follow-ups to maintain engagement.Provide referrals to necessary behavioral health services, social support, and recovery support.Participate in weekly MDT meetings to coordinate and integrate employment plan into SUD and MH treatment plans.

AdministrativeComplete data collection and outcomes reporting, per grant guidelines, parameters and regulations.Document client progress and manage client files per standards and regulations.Attend all relevant case conferences and staff meetings, including MDT.Attend grantee meetings and webinars appropriate or required.Attend bi-weekly supervision.Other duties as required.Knowledge and Skills necessary for the position:Knowledge of working with individuals with co-occurring/dual and/or multiple diagnoses/disorders.Familiar with social, health and cultural issues specific to the Latino population.Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License.Qualifications:Experience required/preferred for the position:

Minimum of 1 year of experience working directly with people with intellectual and/or functional diagnoses/disabilities.Minimum of two years of experience with providing supported employment services.Experience working with multidisciplinary team models.Experience with strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches to integrated treatment.

Education/Training required:Associate degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred (rehabilitation, psychology, human services, or related field).Employment Support Professional certification required or willing to obtain within one year of hire.CPR Certified.Bilingual Spanish/English required. Must be able to read and write in both languages.Working Conditions/Environment:Physical Space:

Workspace will be in-person, office is in a shared space, and will be in multiple buildings on our campus.Company Culture:

The values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape workplace culture are critical. This includes the company's mission, diversity and inclusion practices, and the overall atmosphere, whether it's formal or casual.Team Dynamics:

This position will require working with direct staff, a Multidisciplinary Team consisting of Clinicians, Outreach Workers, Case Managers, other Supervisors and Managers, and Program Directors. This position will also require working with staff and supervisors from other community organizations and employers.Working Conditions:

Must have availability, in-person, M-F 8am – 8pm, and Saturday 8am -12pm. Travel will be required to partner employers and community organizations throughout Massachusetts. Mileage Reimbursement will follow federal guidelines. Casa Esperanza follows State Emergency Guidelines for operations closures.Schedule:

Full Time (40 Hrs. per week)Work Schedule:

Availability from Monday – Friday 8am – 8pmSaturday 8am – 12pmWhat we offer:Compensation:

$48K to $50K Annual SalaryHoliday Pay (12 days per year + 1 floating holiday)Paid Time Off (PTO) - 18 days year one, 20.5 days at year 2, 23 days at year 5Sick Pay - 10 paid days per yearLong / Short Term DisabilityPaid by Company Life InsuranceHealth Insurance (Medical Dental, Vision)Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)ComPsych Guidance Resources - EAPEducational OpportunitiesEmployee Ticket at Work (Discounts for Entertainment, travel, movies; etc.)Increased Salary for Credentialsand more....Physical & Mental Requirements:While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.At Casa Esperanza, Inc., the health and safety of our people is our number one priority. That’s why all offers of employment are contingent on the candidate showing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID 19 (currently one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and boosted, when eligible) to pass the pre-employment requirements. Individuals with medical issues or religious beliefs that prevent them from getting the vaccine may request an exemption from the vaccine requirement.Casa Esperanza, Inc. values its diverse workplace and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. Casa Esperanza, Inc also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.All employees, interns, volunteers and contractors of Casa Esperanza, Inc. are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.Casa Esperanza, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email

hr@casaesperanza.org .

#J-18808-Ljbffr