County of Alameda

Employment Specialist II, Behavioral Health (#6782)

Bargaining Unit: SEIU 1021 - Social Workers (005)
$37.80-$45.07 Hourly / $2,835.00-$3,380.25 BiWeekly /
$6,142.50-$7,323.88 Monthly / $73,710.00-$87,886.50 Yearly

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DESCRIPTION

This classification specification describes the journey-level classification in the Employment Specialist, Behavioral Health series. Under general supervision, the Employment Specialist II, Behavioral Health will assist adults with mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment consistent with their vocational goals; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is part of a two-level flexibly staffed series located in the Alameda County Health Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) and reports to the Senior Employment Specialist, Behavioral Health. Employees provide services to clients assigned to the Vocational Program in the ACBHD. Employment Specialists deliver specialized employment services to a targeted client population who have mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders. These services include follow-along support and job coaching in addition to job placement services. Employees are assigned various duties related to obtaining competitive employment for clients, including engaging, assessing, preparing, placing, and coaching clients.

The Employment Specialist II, Behavioral Health is distinguished from the Employment Specialist I, Behavioral Health in that the former is expected to do the full scope of journey-level work needing only general supervision in order to perform the complete functions of the classification. It is further distinguished from the Senior Employment Specialist, Behavioral Health in that the senior-level classification is the first-line supervisory level of the Employment Specialist I and II, Behavioral Health classification series.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each employee in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers without mental health issues or substance use disorder.
Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make informed decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed.
Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, it provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers. Assists and supports clients in making career decisions, setting training and employment goals and identifying and implementing strategies to achieve goals.
Assists clients in preparing resumes, master applications, cover letters, and job applications; instructs clients in job-seeking strategies and interview techniques.
Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the clients on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment.
Conducts a minimum of six face-to-face employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment and, occasionally, provides job coaching.
Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients that may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
Attends weekly meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
Has face-to-face meetings with Vocational Program Rehabilitation Counselors weekly and meets with the California Department of Rehabilitation Counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
Completes a Vocational Profile with the client; discusses the plan for employment with mental health staff and other treatment team providers and updates it quarterly. Develops job support plans with the client using input from the client, mental health staff, family members, past employment experiences and information about current job.
Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community providing direct services such as meeting clients at home, in the workplace, at a coffee shop, library, or other location in the community; taking clients to apply for jobs, researching local GED programs or colleges, etc.
Establishes and maintains effective communication and working relationships with clients, their families, schools, employers, community organizations, other outside agencies, and the general public.
Completes a variety of documents, including case notes, letters, and reports and completes a variety of forms to monitor client’s progress; completes all required documentation to maximize program accountability and funding; maintains consistent practices and procedures, and compliance with mandated guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of six (6) months of full-time experience in the classification of Employment Specialist I in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Experience:

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time experience performing a combination of two (2) or more of the following functions related to vocational counseling: job development, job coaching, hiring, or recruiting; or direct service experience working with disabled or disadvantaged populations (such as mentally ill, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders) to achieve training, education, and employment goals.

Substitution:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of sociology, psychology, rehabilitation, counseling, business administration, marketing, or a closely related social science field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle operator’s license is required for both levels.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

Principles of vocational and employment counseling and training.
Educational and experience requirements for a wide variety of jobs and employment opportunities.
County, State, and Federal laws governing employment, labor conditions, American Disabilities Act guidelines, and public welfare.
Social Security Administration Work Incentives.
Principles, practices, and techniques of marketing, job development, and client placement.
Outreach program development, implementation, and evaluation.
Computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

Interview, counsel, and maintain effective working relations with clients, family members, employers, schools, county staff, and other agencies.
Develop individualized, practical, and effective employment training plans.
Understand terms and best practices in both mental health and drug and alcohol treatment.
Develop and update curriculums with current career and employment resources.
Effectively market and represent a program, its clients, and services to employers.
Work with a diverse client population.
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Administer examinations and draw valid conclusions from their results.
Work cooperatively and effectively with community agencies, service providers, school officials, and the public.
Write clear and concise reports.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

SSA: 2/77

sj Retyped: 3/85

TT:pb Revised: 12/86

Old document: 0669h

New document: 6781-6782.doc

ys/3/01

CSC Date: 12/30/86

TE:pf Rev. 2/11/02

CSC Date: 12/4/02

SG:po Revised 7/16/09

CSC Date: 8/12/09

RY:cs Revised/Retitled 02/14/13

Old Title: Vocational Services Specialist I/II

CSC Date: 3/20/13

RE:ac Revised 1/31/19

CSC Date: 5/22/19

IL:saa Revised 08/26/2024

CSC Date:10/02/2024

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1^st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.