IPS Employment Specialist

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist to join the IPS-SE team within the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health. This role helps individuals with serious mental illness find and maintain competitive community employment.

Responsibilities include engagement, assessment, job development, job search, and follow-along support; regular team meetings; and thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a related Human Services discipline and two years of related experience.
• Experience with IPS or other supported employment models.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Engagement – providing information about employment and supports to encourage vocational goals.
• Assessment – gathering employment and education histories to create person-centered plans.
• Job Development – building relationships with employers to create opportunities.
• Job Search – helping participants explore opportunities that match goals.
• Follow-Along Support – ongoing support after employment to promote success.

Skills

IPS experience

Supported employment

Mental health experience

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Associate’s degree in Human Services

Job description

Department:

Psychiatry-CECMH-IPS-412216

Career Area:

Health Professional (Physician/Nurse/Other)

Is this an internal only recruitment?:

No

Posting Open Date :

09/23/2026

Application Deadline:

10/05/2026

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title:

Human Services Practitioner - Journey

Salary Grade Equivalent:

NC06 / GN07

Working Title:

IPS Employment Specialist

Position Number:

20068669

Vacancy ID:

P021404

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited:

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week:

40

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Work Location:

CHAPEL HILL, NC

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

$41,170 - $50,000

Pay Band Information:

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

Notice to Applicants:

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary:

This position will function as a member of the Individual Placement and Support Supported Employment (IPS-SE) program within the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health. IPS-SE is a community-based service which aims to assist individuals with serious mental illness to find and maintain competitive employment in the community, an essential component of individuals’ recovery. The IPS-SE program works closely with behavioral health service providers and the department of Employment and Independence for Persons with Disabilities (EIPD, formerly Vocational Rehabilitation).
This IPS-SE team member will carry out direct services for IPS-SE participants including:

• Engagement – Providing information about employment and employment supports to encourage individuals to consider pursuing their vocational goals
• Assessment – Gathering information about individuals’ employment and educational histories, goals, and preferences to create a person-centered employment plan
• Job Development – Connecting and developing warm relationships with potential employers in the community to better understand their hiring needs and create opportunities for IPS-SE participants
• Job Search – Assisting individuals in exploring employment opportunities that match their preferences and goals
• Follow-Along Support – Providing ongoing support to individuals after securing employment to promote success on the job and continue to make progress toward their personal goals.

This position will participate in IPS-SE team activities including weekly team meetings, treatment team meetings with behavioral health partners, and regular meetings with EIPD. This position will be responsible for timely completion of required service documentation and may assist in outcomes tracking and reporting for the program.Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Associate’s degree in a related Human Services discipline and two years of experience related to the area of assignment, or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences:

• Experience working with adults with mental illness.
• Experience with Individual Placement and Support (IPS) or other supported employment models.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Required Licenses/Certifications:

Valid NC Driver’s License is required.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.