Vocational / Pre-Vocational Services Coordinator - ACT Vocational Specialist / Coordinator

Vocational / Pre-Vocational Services Coordinator

ACT Vocational Specialist / Coordinator

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for ourACT Team Vocational Specialist / Coordinator position.

An Overview

The Vocational Coordinator provides vocational rehabilitation and job placement to clients of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. The position is responsible for pre-vocational skill development activities, job development, and placement and follow along services as well as intensive outreach, engagement and case management services. Position coordinates referrals to the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for ACT clients.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of Supported Employment, Evidenced Based Practices, theories, principles and techniques applicable to psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational and pre-vocational programs, service delivery systems and community programs and organizations assisting individuals with a serious mental illness and/ or co-occurring disorders. Good knowledge of Human Rights regulations, psychopharmacology, psychiatric disorders, and related symptomology. The ability to identify the vocational needs of the identified population. Ability to evaluate others' work. The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

The Opportunity

• Coordinates and monitors pre-vocational and vocational services;
• Oversees vocational assessments, situational assessments, job placement and follow-up;
• Supervises client assessments;
• Attends daily ACT team meeting to coordinate services;
• Provides vocational skill training;
• Conducts job development for clients who are seeking employment;
• Provides personnel, vocational and career counseling to clients;
• Maintains liaison with other agencies with regards to mutual clients, and potential referrals;
• Supervises evaluation of individual client progress;
• Ensures maintenance of client records, files and statistical data;
• Provides intensive outreach, engagement, and case management and crisis intervention services;
• Prepares various reports;
• Provides advocacy services;
• Participates in on-call phone rotation to help clients needing support after hours;
• Works weekend, holiday, and evening shifts as needed to help the program cover required hours of service;
• Other duties as assigned.

About the Department

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

What We Offer You:

The Center for Adult Services provides clinical supervision for employees who are working toward licensure in social work or professional counseling. Students pursuing a master's degree in social work, counseling, and other human service fields are encouraged to apply.

The benefits of this job include supervision toward licensure, a flexible work week, opportunities to earn additional on-call pay, and excellent exposure to clinical training on an interdisciplinary team. This position provides training in an evidenced based model of care and is an excellent career entry point into a robust mental health system. The ACT Team and Center for Adult Services has opportunities for career advancement once employees obtain licensure in social work and professional counseling.

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Use the following link to access the PSLF website and learn about this program in detail:

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Four Year College Degree from an accredited college in a human services field plus at least one year clinical experience providing vocational and/or pre-vocational services to adults with a mental health and/or co-occurring substance abuse disorder.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree in a human services related field plus at least two years of clinical experience providing vocational and/or pre-vocational services to adults with a mental health and/or co-occurring substance abuse disorder. Bilingual English/Spanish, French African or Middle Eastern language skills.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion National/FBI criminal background report, clear Commonwealth of Virginia Child Abuse & Neglect registry; clear Medicare/Medicaid fraud data base check and possess a valid driver's license from state of residence with a good driving record.

Schedule:

Regular work hours to include a combination of hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00AM - 7:00PM; Participation in rotating coverage of Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, 8:00AM - 4:30PM; Some responsibility for after hours crisis calls.