Merakey·North Strabane Township, Pennsylvania
Provide community-based vocational support and job coaching for individuals with mental illness. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, developing employment plans, and building relationships with inclusive employers.
Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do. We are seeking a full-time Community Employment Specialist to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team based in Canonsburg, PA.
40 hours per week, Monday–Friday.
Primarily 8:00 AM–4:00
PM, with one day per week from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Includes rotating holidays and an on-call/weekend rotation.
Earn $22.21/hour, plus mileage reimbursement
The Community Employment Specialist provides direct, community-based support to individuals with mental illness living in Washington and Greene Counties. This role is grounded in the principles of the Supported Employment model, offering individualized assistance in areas such as vocational assessment, job development, placement, coaching, and skill-building. Support includes guidance with job applications, resume writing, GED preparation, and enrollment in educational programs.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct vocational assessments, develop individualized employment plans, and provide job coaching, placement, and retention support.
Perform weekly home and community visits, using your own vehicle to assist with transportation and job-related tasks.
Participate in daily team meetings and community support planning to align vocational goals with mental health recovery.
Support individuals in developing daily living skills, including hygiene, nutrition, money management, and social engagement.
Build relationships with employers, present the benefits of inclusive hiring, and lead job readiness workshops (e.g., resume writing, interview prep, workplace safety).
Fulfillment of on-call duties as assigned.
Open positions in this county qualify for Pennsylvania’s Behavioral Health Higher Education Program (BHHEP), which offers candidates meaningful financial and career-building benefits. Through BHHEP, eligible students can receive a paid senior‑year internship with Merakey and may also access tuition assistance of up to $20,000 for bachelor’s programs or up to $40,000 for master’s programs, all while gaining hands‑on experience that strengthens their skills and future employability. Participants who pursue tuition assistance commit to two years of post‑graduation employment with the same provider, creating a smooth transition into the workforce and long‑term career stability. Candidates can learn more about the program and how to apply to it at: []
Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits [https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits]
Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. [https://youtu.be/MD3KtxmS7qo] Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.
Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!
Requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and experience working with adults with serious mental illness. A degree in rehabilitation counseling is preferred.
Market context
Behavioral health employers in Pennsylvania often seek candidates with direct patient care experience, and roles can be more competitive when applicants also bring phlebotomy certification or experience in crisis, detox, or acute psychiatric settings. This posting requires a high school diploma or GED plus at least one year of patient care experience, and the listed requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you’re considering applying, review whether your experience matches the setting and be ready to highlight any behavioral-health or phlebotomy background.
