Our mission is to be a centre of excellence in mental health and support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

Our Values: Accessibility, Accountability, Respect, Inclusivity, Empowerment, Leadership

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST (3 Positions)

Vocational Services Program

Competition # 200911

Hours of work:          35 hours per week

Location:                    York Region

Job Profile:

The purpose of the Employment Support Program is to support people with serious and persistent mental illness to meet their employment goals, which may include paid employment, volunteering, or education.  Team members use bio-psychosocial, Recovery, and empowerment approaches, including natural supports wherever possible to enable clients to meet their goals.

The Employment Specialist works collaboratively with the client and their care team to assess, plan, develop, coordinate, and provide support. The care team may include employees of CMHA York Region, other community mental health agencies, natural supports, and other health and social service providers.  The Employment Specialist is responsible for conducting employment assessments to determine the client’s strengths, needs, and interests in a range of education and work-related areas, providing individual and group support to facilitate achievement of client goals, and developing partnerships with employers for vocational opportunities.

In addition to compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, the incumbent is also expected to behave ethically, demonstrate competence in effective communication and team building, demonstrate effectiveness in working in a collaborative environment, and demonstrate confidence in decision-making and in building relationships.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

This position reports to and is supervised by the Program Manager.

·         Develops partnerships with employers for placements, apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities, providing information and support to employers regarding the skills of those involved in the program and general information on mental illness

·         Assists clients in developing an empowerment plan that includes collaboratively listing strengths and needs, developing long term goals and the short term objectives necessary to address them, listing concrete action steps (methods) to address each objective and helping the client to set achievable target dates for achievement of goals, objective and methods

·         Provides individual and group vocational supportive counseling to enable clients to identify vocational strengths and needs

·         Identifies skills that clients need to achieve vocational goals and plans for skill teaching as required

·         As part of an integrated care team, provides job coaching and on the job support where appropriate

·         Develops an advocacy plan in collaboration with the client to ensure access to mental health services and to address any other issues identified by the client

·         Engages, with clients, in systemic advocacy to address issues of inequality and injustice with the support of the Program Manager

·         Anticipates, understands, and responds to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters

·         Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their Supervisor

Qualifications & Skills:

·         Degree or diploma in health or social services

·         Degree plus four years or more experience in an adult mental health setting related to employment rehabilitation

·         Diploma plus six years or more experience in an adult mental health setting related to employment rehabilitation

·         Current registration with the OCSWSSW or a regulatory body under the Regulated Health Professions Act

·         Knowledge of the issues and social determinants of health such as poverty, unemployment, stigma, isolation, affecting people in the target group and their families

·         Knowledge of employment related legislation, Employment Standards, Occupational Health & Safety, WSIB and Human Rights Code

·         Knowledge of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works employment supports

·         Knowledge of Ontario Mental Health Act and mental health reform principles, the Substitute Decisions Act, the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPA requirements

·         Ability to apply Recovery principles and empowerment oriented philosophies and practices in work with clients

·         Ability to assess employment readiness and collaboratively work with clients on employment strategies and supports

·         Ability to prioritize needs and organize work efficiently

·         Aptitude in developing innovative approaches to service delivery

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills

·         Excellent problem-solving and decision making skills

·         Competence in relevant computer applications particularly Microsoft Office and Outlook

·         A second language reflecting the local community is preferred

Requirements:

·         A valid Canadian driver’s license, a minimum $1,000,000 third party liability insurance and proof that insurance covers use of personal vehicle to transport clients

·         A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check)

Working Conditions:

·         Office work, community settings, meetings at client homes and travel with clients

·         Occasional weekend/evening hours may be required

Disclaimer

In keeping with mental health reform, best practices, funding and direction this position may later require knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions not noted here.

Application Procedures

Submit cover letter and resume to the Human Resources Department by November 11, 2009 quoting Competition # 200911.

Email:  careers@cmha-yr.on.ca

Mail:    CMHA York Region

1091 Gorham Street, Unit 300

Newmarket  ON  L3Y 8X7

Fax:     (905) 853-1051

In accordance with the principles of peer support, all peer supporters are Psychiatric Consumer/Survivors.

CMHA, York Region Branch supports the recovery of people with mental illness and promotes diversity in the workplace.  We encourage consumers, women, aboriginal people, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQQI, visible minority and immigrant communities to apply.

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls or other enquiries please.