Employment Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Excitement abounds at Heritage Behavioral Health Center!

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on patient care – regardless of the position they hold.

Why join us?

• We offer a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• We are expanding our primary care, mental health and substance use services to individuals in Central Illinois and beyond and are looking for dedicated staff to meet the needs of our clientele.
• Our salaries have been updated and are competitive at both the state and national levels with wonderful benefits.
• Full-time employees receive 56 paid days off during their 1st year of employment (this includes every other Friday off PAID for your wellness needs). This increases to 61 days the 2nd year and continues to increase with tenure.
• We have expanded our employee insurance benefit offerings and made them more affordable.

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff’s needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

We are pleased to present the following position for your consideration:

Overview: Employment Specialist

This full-time position is responsible for assisting persons served in obtaining and maintaining successful employment through the agency's IPS program. This position will work collaboratively with the treatment teams and the Department of Rehabilitation Services. The program provides a wide array of services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorder seeking to reintegrate into the workforce. IPS Employment Specialists strive to find that best fit for the person served’s unique strengths and abilities. A key focus for IPS is assisting individuals in developing the skills needed to do a great job while maintaining productive, positive workplace relationships.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Establish trusting, collaborative relationships with persons served, potential employers and vocational counselors.
• Complete vocational assessments, job search plans, and job retention plans with person served
• Assist individuals in job search activities including developing resumes, identifying job leads, completing applications, and developing interviewing skills.
• Guide individuals through job search process and assist with developing coping skills and illness self-management skills while working
• Complete job development contacts to build relationships with hiring managers in the community
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings within the agency and Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with a wide array of populations is essential
• Excellent customer service skills
• Diplomacy skills
• Decision making and problem-solving abilities
• Daily flexibility
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team-based environment
• Strong desire to work with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and/or dual disorder
• Philosophical understanding that all persons served have the ability to work

Education and Experience:

• Previous experience working as a staff member in a vocational or job readiness training environment is beneficial.
• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent is required
• The ideal candidate will have the ability to function as a Mental Health Professional which is defined as

1. 5 years’ experience in a behavioral health setting
2. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
3. A Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, human services or related field, or any other degree plus 2 years of experience.

• Valid driver’s license, reliable means of transportation and proof of current automobile insurance are required.

Salary Range: $47,840-$56,190 per year ($23.00 - $27.00 per hour) dependent on education and experience

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

1. Generous vacation, sick and personal leave
2. WELLNESS days - 26 days per year (every other Friday off paid )
3. Paid holidays - 9 in 2025
4. Health Club/Fitness Reimbursement
5. Employee Assistance Program
6. Continuing education opportunities
7. Tuition assistance program
8. Agency provided life insurance and short-term disability policies
9. Retirement plans (401k and Roth)
10. Optional insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. (The health insurance benefit includes substantial agency contribution towards the cost.)
11. We are a National Health Service Corp site which gives staff access to the National Health Service Corp federal student loan forgiveness program (LCPC, LCSW, MD, APN, RN, CADC, LSW, and LPC individuals). For more information, visit