IPS Specialist




Position Title: IPS Specialist

Department: Older Adult ACT

Reports to:  ACT Team Lead                                             

Location: Remote, Field work required in the Bronx and neighboring boroughs

Schedule: 10am- 6pm, Monday – Friday

Pay: $29.23 -32.98/hr

Formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Position Overview: Vibrant’s Older Adult Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program focuses on helping older adults learn the skills that will help them achieve their goals, establish independence, and live meaningful lives in their communities. This program is designed and tailored specifically to the unique needs of adults over 50 years old with serious mental disorders. Our on-the-ground ACT team is mobile, multi-disciplinary, and available 24/7 to work hand-in-hand with older adults to facilitate their independence.

Under the direction of the ACT Team Lead, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Specialist is responsible for assisting clients with obtaining and maintaining employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. This role focuses on ensuring support for schooling and technical training for career advancement.   

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Delivers individualized supported employer services for ACT clients, using the evidence-based IPS model
• Engages clients in both individual and group settings to establish trust and collaborative relationships in competitive employment opportunities in the community
• Assists clients in understanding how entitlements will be affected by employment
• Assesses clients' vocational skills and preferences
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the client, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment
• Contacts employers weekly to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program
• Provides education and support to employers
• Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment
• Other tasks as assigned

Required Skills/ Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to mental health, disability, and employment challenges
• Ability to conduct vocational assessments
• Strong business communication and negotiation skills
• Responsiveness and crisis management skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary mental health treatment teams
• Proficiency in documentation, record-keeping, and use of electronic health record systems.
• Ability to work independently while meeting program standards and performance measures

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Mental Health Discipline or related field
• 1-2 years of experience with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders
• 1-3 years of experience in job development and employer engagement for those in underserved communities
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, and Power Point
• 75-100% Travel within NYC boroughs and neighboring counties as appropriate
• Bilingual/bicultural skills preferred

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• 75-100% Travel within NYC boroughs and neighboring counties as appropriate, requiring robust physical activity, coordination and stamina.
• Comfort in commuting with public transportation, constant exposure to outdoor conditions.
• Comfortable meeting with consumers inside their homes.
• Must be able to constantly communicate with program participants, service providers, and colleagues and exchange accurate information.




We determine base pay through a comprehensive review of skills, experience, education, certifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors. The range listed reflects the compensation parameters for the role and does not represent the full compensation package. A complete overview of compensation and benefits will be provided by the Talent Acquisition team during the hiring process.

Full time employees will be eligible for excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, employer paid disability insurance, employer paid life insurance, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and 401K available.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. Vibrant will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Vibrant Emotional Health is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Please be aware that fictitious job openings, consulting engagements, solicitations, or employment offers may be circulated on the Internet in an attempt to obtain privileged information, or to induce you to pay a fee for services related to recruitment or training. Vibrant does NOT charge any application, processing, or training fee at any stage of the recruitment or hiring process. All genuine job openings will be posted on our careers page and all communications from the Vibrant recruiting team and/or hiring managers will be from an @vibrant.org email address.