Employment Specialist

Impact Behavioral Health Partners, a mental-health agency located in Evanston, seeks an experienced Employment Specialist to assist our participants to obtain and maintain competitive employment.

As an Employment Specialist, you will help participants find employment that will be rewarding and satisfying to them. This will be done through determining their interests and skills, helping them develop a resume, coaching them on how to interview and follow up with an employer, reaching out to employers on their behalf, connecting them to resources for professional clothing, and continued support for participants once they are employed.

We are looking for a highly organized professional with knowledge of the supported employment field with a demonstrated track record of success. This job is suited for individuals seeking meaningful and fulfilling work, looking to build a career in human services, and are passionate about serving others and making a difference. Those who are comfortable working independently, prefer not to sit behind a desk all day, and are motivated to exceed goals are likely to do well.

Salary: $43,000

Benefits: 25 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), 13 paid holidays, and 2 paid floating holidays each year. Employees who work at Impact at least one year are eligible for paid parental leave.

HMO or PPO health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield is provided at no monthly premium cost to the employee for plans that do not include family or spouse. Each employee receives $10,000 life insurance coverage at no cost to them. Employees may choose to purchase additional life insurance, vision insurance, or dental insurance at affordable monthly costs.

The retirement package includes a 401(k) plan through Principal. Impact contributes 1.5% the amount of an employee’s salary to their 401(k), at no cost to the employee. Impact also pays the administrative fee charged by Principal for the 401(k).

An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) through Magellan is provided at no cost to the employee. The EAP provides free financial, legal, wellness, and mental health resources, including up to five free counseling sessions per problem per year.

Location: Impact has a hybrid work environment that allows employees to work remotely from home, in the field, in our Evanston office where there are COVID-19 safety protocols, or some combination. However, Employment Specialists are expected to spend a vast majority of their time in the field.

Schedule: Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week. Flexible scheduling may be available to accommodate employee needs outside of work, such as obtaining a degree or taking care of a family, but cannot be guaranteed.

Between May 1 and September 1, Impact has "Summer Fridays." During this period, staff may end their workday at 1:00 pm on Fridays if they have successfully completed their weekly job requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

• Achieve successful employment outcomes for a caseload of 20 individuals.
• Manage referral relationships with partner agencies.
• Assess vocational functioning and make updates on an ongoing basis.
• Develop job leads and assist with job searches.
• Provide individualized, time-unlimited follow along services.
• Educate and support employers, as permitted by the participant.
• Report and collaborate with treatment teams and service funders.
• Be in the field 75% of the time to engage and support participants, family, funders, and employers.

Qualifications:

• Experience working with people with serious mental illness, experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate a successful track record of employment outcomes for participants.
• Must be an effective communicator, problem solver, collaborator, and highly organized.

Essential Skills and Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, marketing, or related field required.
• Bilingual, Spanish-speaking preferred.
• Experience with DRS and/or Medicaid rule 132 billing a plus.
• Must be able to cold call employers.
• Must have “service first” mindset.
• Team player, assertive, effective communicator.
• Must have a valid Illinois driver’s license and have regular access to reliable transportation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and/or Salesforce a plus.

About Impact Behavioral Health Partners

Impact Behavioral Health Partners was founded in 1988 as a response to a need for supportive housing for adults living with mental illness as a safe and dignified alternative to homelessness or institutionalization. Work is a critical component of recovery from mental illness. However, 83% of adults living in Illinois with a serious mental illness remain unemployed (according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness). In 2012, Impact committed itself to addressing this need and began offering employment services. Today, Impact’s employment program serves over 400 participants a year.

Impact’s employment program adheres to the principles of a research-based approach developed by Dartmouth University. Our job placement rate is 26% higher than the national average for similar employment programs. Impact is recognized nationally as an industry leader in innovative practice because of our focus on strong outcomes. Our efforts to reach underserved communities with our needed services has driven this innovation.

The primary mantra for Impact employees is to work hard but have fun doing it. Work/life balance, self-care, wellness, safety, and a culture of inclusion where everyone feels respected are among Impact’s core values for its staff. Impact’s leadership team is constantly seeking and adapting to employee feedback; they will create opportunities for employees to gain new skills, credentialing, and education by offering flexible scheduling, trainings, and professional development funds whenever possible. Supervisors prioritize developing trust, transparency, and clear communication with staff.

Impact Behavioral Health Partners is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), CARF-accredited community behavioral health organization that offers affordable housing and support from Social Workers, Counselors, Case Managers, and Employment Specialists to adults recovering from chronic mental illnesses. All of our programs and services are integrated to ensure our participants receive the support they need to recover and attain wellness and reclaim their life in the community. We serve individuals through our Clinical, Supportive Housing, and Individual Placement & Support (IPS) Programs.

NOTE: Impact Behavioral Health Partners provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals with regard to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, retention, and discipline. Impact Behavioral Health Partners will not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the military, or disability, provided that an individual is qualified and meets the requirements established by the agency for the job. Persons with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $43,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a reliable car?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Evanston, IL 60202