Job Responsibilities:

Employment and Education Specialist (CORE)
Wisconsin Community Services

Position Summary: Provides educational and vocational support to youth and young adults who are being served by the CORE program and experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The role of the Education Specialist is to provide academic support, role modeling, and mentoring in the vocational, school, and living environment to ensure the educational and vocational needs of the youth/young adult are being met.

Essential Functions:

• Provide academic support to youth and young adults enrolled in CORE in a school and home setting.
• Work closely with youth and young adults to develop vocational interests and skills required for employment. This includes resume writing, job searches, completing applications, preparing for job interviews, and on the job follow-up/support.
• Work closely with education staff and employers to support the youth/young adult to ensure their needs are being met.
• Participate in the development and monitoring of an Individualized Education Plan for CORE youth with school staff.
• Locate and engage youth in a learning and vocational environment that meets youth/young adults learning needs.
• Collaborate closely with the CORE team to ensure the needs of the youth/young adults are being met.
• Provide a strength-based review of the youth/young adult’s educational and vocational strengths and needs.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Plan of Care and Crisis Plan.
• Connect youth/young adults to resources in the community based on interests to meet identified needs.
• Complete all necessary paperwork in a strength-based manner per Wraparound Milwaukee/Agency requirements.
• Attend and actively participate in CORE staffing and clinical consultation with Wraparound Milwaukee staff.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend in-services and participate in staffing, weekly and monthly meetings and consultations.
• Assist with coverage for co-workers as needed.
• Other job-related duties may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Working knowledge of positive youth/young adult development; patience and understanding of challenging life needs; knowledge related to mental health and co-occurring needs, the ability to interact with youth, young adults, and caregivers in a calm and professional manner; ability to follow oral and written instructions and cues; ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in crisis situations; proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; ability to perform basic computer functions; highly developed organizational skills with the ability to multitask; sensitivity towards cultural, ethic and life needs.

Minimal Qualifications and Salary Schedule:

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of education or human services and a minimum of one year of continued experience working with youth.
• One year of experience serving youth or young adults with mental health and co-occurring needs.
• Complete 20-40 hours of CCS (DHS 36) training and 42 hours of mandatory training in Wraparound philosophy and policies, as well as attend a Family Orientation within 6 months of their hire date.
• Working knowledge of computer applications preferred (Windows and Microsoft Word).
• Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of each individual.
• Knowledge and skills to work with children, young adults and families.
• No convictions or license revocations that would fail a caregiver background check.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, drug test, and driver’s license check.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports directly to CORE Clinician/Supervisor. Has contact with a wide variety of

individuals including youth/young adults and family members, other program staff, including consulting Psychologist/Psychiatrist, and other collateral contacts, neighbors, funders, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, Milwaukee County Delinquency & Court Services Division (DCSD), Children’s Court officials, MPS staff and administrators, staff of youth serving agencies and the general public.

Personal Attributes:

Follow agency Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, people being served by WCS, and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability needs; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission. Demonstrates a strength based, person centered, and culturally intelligent approach to serving people with mental health and co-occurring needs. Focused on embracing recovery in all interactions and incorporating people with lived experience (Peer Specialists) as part of the team.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a busy office environment and in the community serving children, young adults and families. Some of the work is done sitting at desk using a computer; requires significant outreach in the community and families’ homes; much of the outreach is done in urban neighborhoods and several hours per day may be spent driving; hours average 40 per week; flexible work schedule include some hours outside the normal work schedule on evenings and weekends.

Physical Demands:

Duties require possible physical activity while interacting in the community. May require sitting at a desk and/or computer for 2 or more hours at a time. The position requires computer work. Requires the ability to travel and drive for short and extended distances.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.