Job Description

Posting number: 27-00284

Department: Mental Health Support Services

Job classification: MHSS Employment Assistant

Posting type: Open

Categories: Mental Health

Summary

Who We Are:

Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) is the provider of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services for children and adults in Chesterfield County. Do you enjoy helping guide others in their career path? Great! We are seeking a part-time Employment Assistant to join Chesterfield Employment Services where we have supported individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with employment for fifty years! As an Employment Assistant you will provide training and advocacy to adults with developmental disabilities in their work settings.

Minimum Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED; college coursework in psychology, education, social work or human services preferred; one year of experience in working with individuals with disabilities; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. At least one year of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in a community setting preferred; experience in a supported employment setting preferred; experience with an electronic health records system preferred; experience with data collection preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of work environments such as manufacturing, service, or trades. Ability to learn supportive counseling and instructional techniques; to supervise consumers in work settings; to assist consumers with physically demanding work including, but not limited to, heavy lifting, walking up and down stairs, standing for prolonged periods, squatting, stooping, bending, twisting, stretching, crawling, reaching overhead, and working in awkward positions without choice or variety; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Knowledge of supported employment, training techniques and behavioral supports preferred; customer service skills preferred; proficiency with Microsoft Office preferred.

Additional Requirements:

Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, records must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out-of-state driving records must be obtained by the applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of the interview date.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check, and education/degree verification required.

Examples of duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides direct training, supports and advocates for adults with intellectual disabilities in group supported employment in a group/enclave setting;
• Provides job training, documentation and monitoring of individuals who are working within a group employment setting;
• Provides on-site job coaching; partners with job site supervisor to resolve problems and works with partnering businesses to meet the needs of the employer and support the group to complete all assigned tasks;
• Assists consumers in performing job duties as required;
• Establishes and maintains relationships with community businesses and other community partners;
• May transport consumers to and from job sites;
• Maintains and prepares a variety of consumer records and reports (e.g. behavior, accident, consumer progress); and
• Performs other work as required.

This position is a part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications, and experience.

PLEASE NOTE: Position open until filled (first review to begin October 19, 2026).

Qualifications

Up to 28 hours/week; Monday - Friday; hours vary based on the needs of the program.

Supplemental information

Mental Health Support Services