Employment Specialist - Workforce Development

Employment Specialist – Workforce Development

Location: Life Works Austin, Austin, TX

Life Works of Austin, TX is looking for Employment Specialists to join our Workforce Development program! An Employment Specialist provides community‑based supported employment and education services to youth and young adults, utilizing the evidence‑based Individual Placement & Support model. The Employment Specialist works to promote clients’ recovery and wellness by assisting them in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment that aligns with their preferences, strengths, and long‑term career goals.

This position also provides administrative support by maintaining client files, entering data, and completing required documentation in compliance with contracts.

Full‑time, non‑exempt position. Pay: $24.86–$27.17 per hour, depending on experience.
Benefits include 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays; a premium‑free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution and other affordable medical, dental, and vision options; a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions.

• Provide client‑centered, trauma‑informed supported employment services to diverse individuals with chronic homelessness, systems involvement, diagnosed mental health issues, substance misuse, trauma history, early pregnancy/parenthood, etc.
• Work with teammates and other support staff to ensure fidelity of the Individual Placement and Support model and incorporate it into client–employment specialist engagement and documentation.
• Transport clients after hours to job interviews, job shadowing, and to work or other agencies as needed.
• Attend job fairs and outreach events to promote the program and the agency.
• Conduct a minimum of six in‑person employer contacts per week, building relationships, learning hiring needs, and describing supports offered by the Workforce program.
• Use interviewing skills to learn about client preferences, experiences, hopes and concerns regarding employment; assess vocational functioning.
• Identify and leverage client strengths in service planning to help clients achieve employment or education goals.
• Complete intake forms and assessments for clients seeking supported employment or education services ört.
• Actively engage in community job development and search activities individualized to the interests of clients on the caseload.
• Provide individualized follow‑along supports to assist clients in seeking and maintaining employment or completing educational goals.
• Develop an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients, incorporating input from team or family
  
  Relationships.
• Write job support goals and steps with clients, adjusting plans per needs and preferences.
• Provide education and support to employers, negotiating job accommodations and follow‑along contact when required.
• Provide supported education using the IPSS model for clients interested in advancing employment goals.
• Meet periodically with staff to provide coordinated wrap‑around services.
• Help clients develop job‑readiness skills such as resume writing, interview skills, soft skills, and presentation skills.
• Analyze barriers and challenges as they arise and deliver safe, effective, client‑focused solutions.
• Comply with all funding, licensure, accreditation, program, and agency requirements, including data, paperwork, philosophies, processes, and procedures.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate case records and documentation (service plans, assessments, progress notes, intake reports, incident reports).
• Perform heavy data entry into agency/funder databases, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
• Discern how and when to provide approved financial assistance to support basic client needs and ensure proper utilization of funds.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary documents to secure employment (e.g., State , birth certificate, Social Security card) and connect them to community resources.
• Assist clients in obtaining information about benefits (SSI, Medicaid) and their impact on employment; help with financial literacy and refer to benefits counseling as needed.
• Provide timely…