Education & Employment Specialist STEPS

Compass Health, Inc.; Union, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Health, Inc. in Union, NJ, seeks an Education & Employment Specialist to support individuals with psychiatric disabilities through work and education goals. You’ll provide coaching, advocacy, and hands-on support in the home and community as part of the ACT team.

This full-time role offers Monday–Friday schedule, on-call rotation, and requires driving to client homes. Strong collaboration with a multidisciplinary team is essential to help clients build purposeful, self-directed futures.

Qualifications

• Must have High School/GED or higher
• Associates or bachelor’s in human service field preferred
• Qualifying experience in CSS requirements
• Qualified addiction professional
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from accredited school
• Any four-year degree or higher education with qualifying experience
• Four years of qualifying experience
• AS in Behavioral Health Support per DMH designation
• Qualifying experience with mental illness or substance use disorders

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in identifying and achieving employment or educational goals through one-on-one coaching and community engagement
• Develop relationships with local employers and educational institutions to create opportunities for clients
• Provide ongoing job development, placement, and retention support, including on-site coaching and benefits counseling
• Assist individuals in pursuing or returning to educational programs aligned with their goals
• Collaborate with the ACT team to integrate supported employment and education plans into each client’s wellness plan
• Maintain thorough documentation in accordance with agency policy
• Participate in flexible scheduling and on-call rotation, including some evenings or weekends as needed

Skills

Coaching

Empathy

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

High School/GED

Associates or Bachelor’s in Human Services

AS in Behavioral Health Support

Job description

Education & Employment Specialist STEPS

Department: STEPS

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Union - Clark Avenue

Compensation: $26.74 - $28.01 / hour

Description

Empower Lives Through Purposeful Work and Learning

As an Education and Employment Specialist with our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, you’ll help individuals living with psychiatric disabilities rediscover purpose and independence through meaningful employment and educational opportunities. This role combines advocacy, coaching, and hands‑on support to help people build brighter, self‑directed futures.

Full‑time, benefit eligible position. Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. 40 hours weekly. On‑Call rotation is required. 1 Week of on call approximately every 7 weeks. Must be comfortable in client’s homes.

About ACT/ACT TAY/STEPS

ACT (Assertive Community Treatment)/ACT TAY (Assertive Community Treatment for Transitional‑Aged Youth)/STEPS (Shape, Teach, Evolve, Prepare, Support) programs are a way of providing many types of service to people with chronic mental health disorders. ACT/STEPS teams provide services directly to people in their community. People who access ACT/STEPS services receive the wrap‑around psychiatric services, but within the comfort of their own home and community. ACT/STEPS team members are comprised of professionals in the areas of psychiatry, social work, nursing, substance use disorders, supported employment, and peer support so they have the skills they need to meet the many needs of the people they serve. The ACT/STEPS team provides these services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, each day of the year.

This Is a Great Opportunity for Someone Who:

• Enjoys helping others find confidence and purpose through work or education
• Values community‑based, person‑centered approaches to care
• Thrives on collaboration within a multidisciplinary behavioral health team
• Finds fulfillment in making a measurable difference every day

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Support individuals in identifying and achieving employment or educational goals through one‑on‑one coaching and community engagement
• Develop relationships with local employers and educational institutions to create opportunities for clients
• Provide ongoing job development, placement, and retention support, including on‑site coaching and benefits counseling
• Assist individuals in pursuing or returning to educational programs aligned with their goals
• Collaborate with the ACT team to integrate supported employment and education plans into each client’s wellness plan
• Maintain thorough documentation in accordance with agency policy
• Participate in flexible scheduling and on‑call rotation, including some evenings or weekends as needed

Requirements, Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• High School/GED required
• Associates or bachelor’s degree in a human service related field preferred
• Must qualify for position based on overall CSS requirements in at least one of the options listed
• Qualified addiction professional
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from a college or university included in the U.S. Department of Education’s database of accredited schools at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation
• Any four‑year degree or combination of higher education and qualifying experience
• Four years of qualifying experience
• Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support degree as designated by the Department of Mental Health
• Qualifying experience must include delivery of service to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities
• A valid driver’s license and agency established minimum automobile coverage required

You’ll Be a Great Fit for This Role if You:

• Believe in the power of employment and education as tools for recovery and wellness
• Build trust easily and communicate with empathy and respect
• Are resourceful and creative in helping others overcome barriers
• Value teamwork and collaboration across disciplines
• Are self‑motivated, organized, and flexible in supporting client needs

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