Job Description

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Location: Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Department: Employment Services

Employment Type: Part-time

Job

Join a compassionate, collaborative team making a measurable difference in people’s lives by supporting individuals to obtain and maintain meaningful employment. Five reasons to apply: meaningful mission-driven work; hands-on job development and community engagement; flexible scheduling that values work-life balance; opportunities to build employer partnerships and professional skills; and a supportive team culture focused on client success. We seek a motivated, empathetic self-starter with strong communication, community outreach, and problem-solving skills.

The Employment Specialist develops and implements individualized vocational services including career planning, job placement, and retention supports. You will assess client strengths and barriers, create employer relationships, provide on-site supports, coordinate benefits planning, and track outcomes to promote long-term vocational success in an integrated community setting.

This position offers…

· Employee Assistance Program  – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost 

· Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel

· Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition

· Workplace Culture  - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce

· Additional Perks & Benefits  - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities:

· Develop individualized career plans and provide vocational counseling through interviews and community-based activities to identify strengths, needs, abilities, and employment goals

· Conduct job development and employer outreach to create competitive, integrated employment opportunities and build lasting employer relationships

· Provide job placement support, on-site and off-site job coaching, and crisis response at worksites as needed to ensure retention and long-term success

· Teach and reinforce job-seeking and job-retention skills; assist with benefits planning at service onset and prior to job starts or changes in hours/pay

· Market clients and services, promote the program at community events, and deliver presentations to employers and stakeholders

· Maintain regular contact with referral sources, participate in team/planning meetings, and report job development outcomes and metrics to supervisors

· Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological, and educational records to inform individualized planning

· Adhere to confidentiality, CARF, contractual standards, and agency policies; maintain flexible availability including evenings, overnights, and weekends as required

· Travel extensively for job development and client supports; transport clients when necessary

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

· High school diploma or equivalent required

· Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred

· Minimum one year of experience providing employment or vocational services

Additional Qualifications:

· Understanding of supporting individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment, including mental health and substance use challenges

· Knowledge of case management, rehabilitation methods, community resources, and relevant legal/court procedures

· Strong verbal and written communication and customer service skills

· Proficiency with Word, Excel, internet platforms, and electronic media

· Successful completion of background check (criminal, driving, abuse/neglect, fingerprint)

· Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and auto insurance

· Must provide evidence of being free from infectious/contagious disease (e.g., TB) prior to hire and annually as required

Physical Requirements

· Sedentary work: may exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and perform repetitive hand/finger movements for typing/writing

· Primarily sitting with occasional walking or standing; may require brief periods of more active mobility during community-based activities

Keywords: Employment Specialist, job development, job coaching, vocational services, benefits planning, employer outreach, supported employment, community integration, disability support, vocational counselor

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.