The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.  

Scope of Position: The IPS Employment Specialist plays a key role in helping consumers achieve meaningful employment by assessing their employment preferences, providing benefits counseling, and supporting job readiness through coaching and connecting them with resources. This role involves networking with local employers and maintaining strong client relationships. With at least 65% of services delivered in the community—through visits to residences, shelters, and other community settings—the position is field-based and covers 3 ACT teams in either the Bronx or Manhattan. This is a dynamic opportunity to make a lasting impact on individuals' lives by helping them secure sustainable employment solutions. 

Essential Position Functions:

• Use the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model to identify consumers with vocational goals, assess their vocational preferences and readiness, and support them in finding and maintaining employment, while providing benefits counseling.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local employers for job development opportunities.
• Collaborate with consumers' support networks, as needed, to help them achieve their vocational goals.
• Apply motivational interviewing, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed approaches when providing services.
• Complete required foundational and ongoing training as mandated by the Office of Mental Health and The Bridge.
• Provide at least 65% of services in the community, including client visits at residences, shelters, and community locations, while also networking with local employers for job development.
• Attend and actively participate in daily team meetings with ACT team members to address clients’ clinical and case management needs.
• Complete all necessary documentation as per NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) licensing guidelines, as well as NYS Medicaid billing guidelines when services are Medicaid reimbursable, following The Bridge’s ACT Policy and Procedures.
• Utilize best practices and evidence-based approaches consistent with The Bridge’s organizational culture, including health/mental health integration, rehabilitation, recovery, and trauma-informed care to engage clients in treatment.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 3 years of experience providing direct services to individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and co-morbid medical conditions in a community-based setting, including at least 2 years of experience providing Employment Services.
• Experience working with diverse adults receiving mental health treatment, including those facing serious mental illness, functional impairments, and psychosocial challenges (e.g., homelessness, justice involvement, poverty, unemployment).
• Experience with the IPS model is highly preferred.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Demonstrated expertise in recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Bilingual in Spanish is highly preferred.

 The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer