Community Support Specialist I

Heritage Behavioral Health Center- HBHC; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Every other Friday off paid wellness/2

Mileage reimbursement at IRS rate

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) and Roth retirement options

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Fitness reimbursement

Generous paid time off

Tuition assistance toward advanced deg

Job summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center- HBHC in Decatur, IL is seeking Community Support Specialists to work in Macon County. You will assist adults with mental health challenges in homes and the community, helping them gain skills, confidence and independence as part of a multidisciplinary team. Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.

– 5:00 p.m.; every other Friday off paid. A CRSS or related experience is preferred, with a Bachelor’s not required if CRSS is held.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or human services is preferred or CRSS equivalency.
• 5 years of supervised behavioral health experience plus a high school diploma or GED.
• CRSS certification or equivalent behavioral health training.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized, community-based support to adults with serious mental illness.
• Work mostly in clients' homes and communities to build skills and independence.
• Maintain documentation and coordinate with clinicians and care teams.
• Assist with accessing benefits and services and support housing, employment, and education goals.
• Navigate transportation and strengthen natural supports and social connections.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Independent and team work

Valid driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or human services

High school diploma or GED plus 5 years of supervised behavioral health experience

CRSS certification

Job description

$23–$25/hour | Every other Friday off, paid | Monday–Friday, 8–5

Want to help people build stable, independent lives—right where they live? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring Community Support Specialists in Macon County. You'll spend your days out in the community, not behind a desk, helping adults with mental health challenges gain skills, confidence, and independence. No license required, and a Bachelor's degree isn't required either if you hold a CRSS or have behavioral health experience.

Pay and Schedule

Pay is based on credential:

• Mental Health Professional (MHP): $23.00/hour + every other Friday off paid (CRSS, or high school diploma/GED plus 5 years of supervised behavioral health experience)
• Bachelor's Degree: $25.00/hour + every other Friday off paid

Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Every other Friday off as a paid wellness day: that's 26 three-day weekends a year
• Predictable weekday hours, Monday–Friday, 8–5
• Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate for all work-related travel
• Variety every day: in homes, at appointments, and around the community
• Regular clinical supervision and a supportive, team-based model, so you're never on your own
• A launch point for your behavioral health career, with tuition assistance toward an advanced degree
• Competitive pay aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Generous time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with substantial agency contributions
• 401(k) and Roth retirement options
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and fitness reimbursement
• Additional life insurance options

Your Role

As a Community Support Specialist, you'll provide individualized, community-based support to adults living with serious mental illness and other behavioral health challenges. Most of your work happens in clients' homes and communities, where you'll help them build skills, connect to resources, and gain greater independence, backed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, nurses, and peers.

What You'll Do

• Support a caseload of adults with serious and persistent mental illness, mostly through in-home visits
• Build trusting, recovery-focused relationships through face-to-face outreach
• Teach everyday living skills such as cooking, housekeeping, hygiene, time management, and budgeting
• Help clients develop coping strategies for mental health, substance use, and health-related symptoms
• Provide medication monitoring and education, and communicate with prescribers
• Connect clients to primary care, specialty care, and behavioral health services, and attend appointments with them
• Help clients apply for and keep benefits such as Medicaid, Social Security, Section 8/Public Housing, and Link
• Support housing, employment, and education goals through applications, coaching, and community connections
• Help clients navigate transportation and strengthen their natural supports and social connections
• Coordinate care with clinicians, nurses, healthcare providers, probation, and community partners
• Provide cross-coverage for teammates so clients receive uninterrupted support
• Complete documentation in the electronic health record within 24 hours

What to Expect

• At least 80% of your time out in the community, with an emphasis on in-home visits
• A monthly goal of 80–100 meaningful client contacts
• Regular clinical supervision and team meetings to support your growth
• Clear safety protocols, with supervisor support whenever a home visit isn't the right fit

Qualifications

One of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or human services
• High school diploma or GED plus 5 years of supervised behavioral health experience
• Certification as a Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)

Also required:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance (regular local travel required)

Preferred: Experience in behavioral health or community support. New to the field? We encourage you to apply.

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

Heritage is a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic based in Decatur, Illinois, dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care across a multi-county area. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we take care of them so they can take care of the people we serve.