"Alerted.org

Individualized Placement and Support Specialist

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nashville/jobs/newprint/4906197)

Apply



Individualized Placement and Support Specialist

Salary

$54,699.00 Annually

Location

Nashville, TN

Job Type

Full-Time Grant Funded

Job Number

OHS07735

Department

Office of Homeless Services

Opening Date

11/21/2025

Closing Date

12/1/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

The Office of Homeless Services leads Nashville’s efforts to end homeless through innovation, community collaboration and compassion. The Individualized Placement Support Specialist will assist unhoused or recently unhoused clients in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment that aligns with the client’s vocational goals.

*This position is a grant funded role and may require working outside normal business hours.*

Typical Duties

+ Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.

+ Assists clients in obtaining individualized information about how entitlements (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) will be affected by employment so clients can make decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.

+ Assesses clients' vocational skills and preferences on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides information and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of mental health status to employers.

+ Helps clients learn about different jobs/careers by assisting with meetings with workers/managers to ask about positions that interest clients, meetings with academic advisors, observing workers (one day or less in duration), and job fairs to speak with employers about different types of jobs.

+ Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.

+ Conducts an average of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program, and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.

+ Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from family members (with client permission) and the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ needs and preferences.

+ Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients. May negotiate job accommodations and follow-along contact by the IPS specialist with the employer.

+ Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.

+ Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. For example, returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follows up on job leads within 48 hours. Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.

+ Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment.

+ Participates in face-to-face meetings with state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients. Collaborates with individual counselors between.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, vocational rehabilitation or related field. Experience working with individuals with severe mental illness.

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ 1 year of experience in vocational/employment program in a mental health or social service setting

+ People who have lived experience of homelessness, addiction, and/or trauma

+ Experience working in employment with populations with complex needs

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

Full-time, Civil Service positions -

10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)

1 Sick Day per month

12 Paid Holidays per year

Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions -

20 vacation days per year

3 Personal days per year

1 Sick Day per month

12 paid holidays per year

Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.

Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information

Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

+ No diploma

+ High School Diploma or equivalent

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree

02

List the type of degree and major field of study. If no degree, answer "n/a".

03

Briefly describe your experience working with individuals with severe mental illnesses. If no experience, answer "n/a".

04

How many years of experience do you have working in a mental health or social services setting?

+ No experience

+ Less than a year

+ One or more years

Required Question

Employer

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County

Address

Human Resources Department 700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Suite 201 Nashville, Tennessee, 37210

Phone

(615) 862-6640

Website

https://www.nashville.gov/departments/human-resources/employment-opportunities

Apply

Please verify your email address Verify Email