Employment Technician/Specialist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

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.

Skills

• Valid driver's license, private automobile insurance, and insurable
• Basic computer skills and experience with MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and an electronic medical record (EMR)

Pay

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $17.00 - $20.00 an hour.