Coordinates the efforts of Family Advocate Specialists and Peer Support Training Specialists statewide, works with the Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services to ensure competent and ethical delivery in all work products and messaging, trains and coaches Family Advocates and Peer Support Specialists. Leads training development/revision and implements training and coaching, monitors training/coaching delivery and provides on-going feedback to improve messaging and delivery. Works to expand the reach and influence of family voice and choice, and values leveraging of individual lived experience through serving on advisory committees and developing relationships with other organizations and statewide stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities

Trains and coaches Family Advocate and Peer Support Training Specialists Teams:
• Hires, on boards and supervises daily activity of Specialists statewide via in person and web-based training and supervision in conjunction with Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services.
• Facilitates standardized team activity to ensure consistency of training content across the state.
• Serves as primary Subject Matter Expert and works in conjunction with Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services and SOC Coordinator to ensure Medicaid enrolled providers, and provider-organizational leadership and staff have access to technical support and coaching to implement family peer support services.
• Consults with Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services to ensure standardization of messaging to successfully implement family and peer support services.
• Works with Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services in order to ensure appropriate live and webinar training coverage for all provider trainings on a monthly basis.
• Works in conjunction with leadership, peer specialists and clinical PATH team to develop and prepare/revise training for implementation.
• Facilitates Training of Trainers when new curriculum is launched.
• Consults with Associate Director, Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services, Office of Medicaid Innovation and Healthcare and Family Services and National Experts to ensure standardization of messaging to successfully implement best practices in delivery of training for Family and Peer Support Specialists embedded in provider organizations.
• Develops and implements staff development plans as necessary and identifies workforce development needs including recruitment and development of the Family Advocate Specialist role.
• Through direct observation provides guidance and support to the Specialists by promoting competent and ethical delivery of family and peer support practices.

Provides intensive coaching to Specialist Teams:
• Creates a cooperative and compassionate workplace, fostering appropriate self-care, and identifying steps to reduce job-related stress.
• Trains and coaches Providers on Systems of Care Values and best practices in provision of Family Peer

Supporters and Peer Support Workers for provider staff and leadership:
• Effectively and strategically shares personal story around systems navigation. Lived experience as an individual who has navigated systems as a result of their own or their child’s multi-system needs including but not limited to mental health, substance use, special education, or involvement in justice systems.
• Provides training in order to model facilitation of content for new specialists as well as to introduce new training curriculum to providers.
• Provides direct field support and coaching to providers as necessary in order to meet provider need and demand.
• Participate in state and local planning and advisory groups related to children’s mental health
• Monitors training and coaching delivery including providing feedback with integration of data in conjunction with the Associate Director and Assistant Director: Pathways To Success Services.

Other duties as assigned:
• Some analysis of training effectiveness may be required.
• Travel may be necessary several days per week in order to effectuate training and coaching.

Travel Requirements

5% Travel as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mental Health or related field. Parent or primary caregiver involved in the day-to-day care of a child or adolescent with emotional/behavioral health challenges -OR- Personal lived experience in navigating mental health, substance use or legal systems. Experience successfully navigating child-serving systems for child(ren) with emotional and/or behavioral challenges -OR- Experience successfully navigating mental health, substance use or legal systems personally.

Preferred Qualifications

Supervisory experience. Training content development and/or curriculum development.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of advocacy and strength-based interventions. Understanding of the core competencies of peer support workers. Knowledge and understanding of recovery-oriented practices. Knowledge and understanding of Systems of Care values and principles. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Excellent communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Highly organized, able to work independently.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search posting closes. The budgeted salary range for the position is $70,000 - $80,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. Hybrid work options may be available for this position with the ability to be on-site as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on April 3, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Upload your cover letter, resume and names and contact information for three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact SW-HR@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1035578
Job Category: Education & Student Services
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Apply now

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