Community Support Specialist Veteran Focused

Job Description

Community Support Specialist – Veteran Focused

Salary:

High School or GED + 5 years’ experience: $23.00/hour + every other Friday paid off for wellness

Bachelor’s Degree: $25.00/hour + every other Friday paid off for wellness

Salary is based on education, experience, and licensure or certification

Schedule: Full-Time Every other Friday off (paid wellness day) Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care – regardless of the position they hold.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

Collaborative mission-driven work environment

Every other Friday off – paid wellness days

Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks

Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff’s needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

Your Role:

Community Support Specialist – Veteran Focused

The Community Support Specialist (CSS) provides individualized, community-based behavioral health services to adults living with mental health and/or substance use challenges, with a specialized focus on serving Veterans.

This role combines structured Community Support services with Veteran-informed peer engagement. The CSS works primarily in clients’ homes and community settings to enhance independent functioning, promote recovery, and build stability in real-life environments. When serving Veterans, the specialist utilizes their understanding of military culture and recovery principles to foster engagement, build trust, and support navigation of VA and community systems.

The ideal candidate values flexibility, collaboration, and hands-on engagement, and is committed to helping individuals strengthen skills, increase self-sufficiency, and achieve meaningful recovery goals.

Core Responsibilities

Community-Based Service Delivery

Provide individualized, person-centered services designed to improve independent functioning in the community.

Deliver skill-building interventions in areas including:

Medication management support

Budgeting and financial literacy

Household management and organization

Meal planning and nutrition

Transportation use and community navigation

Healthcare coordination and appointment follow-through

Development of social and communication skills

Monitor mental health and substance use symptoms and support stabilization efforts.

Assist individuals in accessing housing, employment, benefits, and community resources.

Model healthy coping strategies, daily routines, and positive decision-making.

Coordinate care alongside a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Veteran-Informed Support (When Serving Veterans)

Demonstrate understanding of military culture and the unique experiences of Veterans.

Support Veterans in navigating VA services and community-based resources.

Promote engagement in behavioral health and recovery services.

Encourage self-advocacy, wellness planning, and resilience.

Provide culturally responsive services that honor the Veteran’s lived experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to work effectively with individuals with mental health and/or substance use diagnoses.

Strong understanding of recovery-oriented and person-centered practices.

Knowledge of community resources and social service systems.

Ability to engage individuals in home and community settings.

Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.

Ability to think clearly and respond appropriately in high-risk or emotional situations.

Comfort navigating electronic health record systems.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.

Experience working with individuals with behavioral health challenges preferred.

Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or willingness to obtain, if applicable.

Veteran status required

Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance required.

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave

Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off paid, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement

Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. Health insurance includes substantial agency contributions toward the cost.

Retirement: 401k and Roth

Professional Growth: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities

Loan Forgiveness: Eligible through the National Health Service Corp

Full-time