Community Employment Specialist

Merakey; Canonsburg (Washington County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan options

DailyPay access

Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships

Employee discounts and savings programs

Job summary

Merakey, located in Canonsburg, PA, is seeking a full-time Community Employment Specialist to join the Assertive Community Treatment Team. This role provides community-based support to individuals with mental illness in Washington and Greene Counties, focusing on vocational assessment, job development, placement, and coaching.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, experience with serious mental illness, and a valid driver's license. The role comes with comprehensive benefits and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience working with adults with serious mental illness or in related human services roles.
• Valid Driver's License required for travel across Washington and Greene Counties.

Responsibilities

• Conduct vocational assessments and provide job coaching and support.
• Participate in daily team meetings and community support planning.
• Support individuals in developing daily living skills and job readiness.

Skills

Experience with adults with serious mental illness

Vocational assessment and job coaching

Valid Driver's License

Education

High school diploma or GED

Degree in rehabilitation counseling

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? AtMerakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do. We are seeking a full‑time Community Employment Specialist to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team based in Canonsburg, PA.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday‑Friday. Primarily 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, with one day per week from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Includes rotating holidays and an on‑call/weekend rotation.

Compensation

Earn $21.67/hour, plus mileage reimbursement.

Position Details

The Community Employment Specialist provides direct, community‑based support to individuals with mental illness living in Washington and Greene Counties. This role is grounded in the principles of the Supported Employment model, offering individualized assistance in areas such as vocational assessment, job development, placement, coaching, and skill‑building. Support includes guidance with job applications, resume writing, GED preparation, and enrollment in educational programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct vocational assessments, develop individualized employment plans, and provide job coaching, placement, and retention support.
• Perform weekly home and community visits, using your own vehicle to assist with transportation and job‑related tasks.
• Participate in daily team meetings and community support planning to align vocational goals with mental health recovery.
• Support individuals in developing daily living skills, including hygiene, nutrition, money management, and social engagement.
• Build relationships with employers, present the benefits of inclusive hiring, and lead job readiness workshops (e.g., resume writing, interview prep, workplace safety).
• Fulfillment of on‑call duties as assigned.

Behavioral Health Higher Education Program (BHHEP)

Open positions in this county qualify for Pennsylvania's Behavioral Health Higher Education Program (BHHEP), which offers candidates meaningful financial and career‑building benefits. Through BHHEP, eligible students can receive a paid senior‑year internship with Merakey and may also access tuition assistance of up to $20,000 for bachelor's programs or up to $40,000 for master's programs, all while gaining hands‑on experience that strengthens their skills and future employability. Participants who pursue tuition assistance commit to two years of post‑graduation employment with the same provider, creating a smooth transition into the workforce and long‑term career stability. Candidates can learn more about the program and how to apply to it at: https://bharp.org/providers/bhhep/.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan – both pre‑tax and Roth (after‑tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay – access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well‑being platform, featuring self‑care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits

About Merakey

Merakey is a non‑profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated experience working with adults with serious mental illness or in related human services roles (e.g., caregiving, residential support, home health, etc.).
• Valid Driver's License. Travel is necessary to offer support across Washington and Greene Counties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in rehabilitation counseling.
• Previous experience in supported employment or mental health recovery settings.