Employment Coach

Chestnut Health Systems is seeking an Employment Specialist to join our team. As an Employment Technician or Specialist, you will play a crucial role in providing case management mental health services and supporting consumers in their journey towards employment and recovery. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals seeking employment while promoting the recovery model of treatment.

• Complete required data entry and paperwork in accordance with program and agency policies and procedures.
• Provide consumer-driven services that meet program requirements and maintain an assigned level of consumer services.
• Promote the recovery model of treatment, including trauma-informed care, hope, respect, empowerment, health/wellness, and spirituality/connectedness.
• Provide referral, linkage, and advocacy to recommended community resources, especially involving Department of Rehabilitation Services, educational, and vocational resources.
• Foster positive interactions within Chestnut and the community, especially with businesses and professionals, to sustain a favorable program reputation and develop employment opportunities for consumers.
• Attend meetings, consumer staffings, and program development activities, providing support and backup to other team members as necessary.
• Recommend permanent job placements based on consumer strengths, preferences, and needs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fidelity requirements for Individual Placement and Support, including maintaining face-to-face employer contacts, providing services in the community, ensuring timely documentation, and developing retention plans.
• Promote Chestnut’s culture of customer service excellence.
• Maintain confidentiality of all organizational information gained in the course of performing job responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and have demonstrated a strong interest in or experience working in social services; or a bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, education, psychology, or a related human service field. Alternatively, candidates may possess a bachelor’s degree in any other field with two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting, or a certificate of psychiatric rehabilitation from a DHS-approved program plus a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of experience in providing mental health services. Certification as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) in good standing with the State of Illinois is also accepted. Additionally, candidates must have a valid driver’s license, private automobile insurance, and be insurable. Basic computer skills and experience with MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and an electronic medical record (EMR) are required.