The City of Champaign Equity and Engagement Department is seeking 4 service- and community-focused Behavioral Health Advocates to work in the newly created Mental Health Emergency Response Division. The Mental Health Emergency Response Model is a co-responder model in which first responders and trained social services professionals provide a combined and coordinated response for behavioral health, mental health, and social crisis calls for service.

Behavioral Health Advocate is a new position in the Equity and Engagement Department, and a great career opportunity for a person eager to support the overall health and well-being of community members through crisis support and advocacy. The positions will be supervised by the Clinical Manager.

Responsibilities of Position

The Behavioral Health Advocate is responsible for responding to mental and /or behavioral health emergency calls for service with first responder personnel through a co response model. They utilize knowledge, skills, and training on scene to de-escalate, assess, and intervene in the moment of crisis and coordinate follow-up with local community resources and behavioral health treatment after the crisis has concluded. The Behavioral Health Advocate performs case management to include treatment plan development, resource referrals and navigation, and community outreach. The Behavioral Health Advocate responds to calls for service on a 24-hour rotational basis including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, psychology, public health, or a related field.
• Experience in crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, addictions counseling, services to unhoused populations, mental health, or other related employment.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Current valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in crisis intervention, de-escalation or culturally responsive trauma informed care.
• Experience with co responder models, non-traditional work hours, on-call responsibilities, or hotlines.
• Knowledge of or experience with grassroots organizations.
• De-escalation, crisis intervention, psychological first aid, or other relevant certifications.
• Speaking and listening proficiency in languages identified by the Equity and Engagement Department.

Drug screening, driving abstract, and criminal background check will be required. The annual starting salary range is $76,312 - $86,874, DOQ, plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, September 21, 2025.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.

These values guide our work:

Personal Integrity

We act in the best interests of the City

We behave in an ethical and legal manner

We are open and honest

We follow through on commitments

We are loyal to the City

Responsibility

We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities

We take initiative

We act to prevent and solve problems

We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions

We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect

We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner

We actively listen and seek understanding

We provide a direct response

We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace

We are positive and cooperative

We are willing to apologize

Teamwork

We know and respect our roles and responsibilities

We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately

We define and agree upon the goals

We collaborate to achieve organizational goals

We help others accomplish their goals

We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results

We take pride in our work

We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget

We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance

We learn from our mistakes

We innovate