Youth Community Support Specialist

Brightli•Kirksville, MO

About The Position

The Youth Community Support Specialist provides community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults, supporting their adjustment to community life, independence, stability, and long-term wellbeing. The specialist uses individualized, person-centered plans, evidence-based practices, and a strengths-based approach to help clients build resilience and achieve personal goals. The role works closely with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams, and connects clients with community resources. The position is based in Kirksville, Missouri, and is full-time, Monday through Friday. The organization offers training and career mobility, and describes its workplace as welcoming and supportive. Brightli’s mission includes improving client care, sharing resources to reduce the financial burden on community mental health centers, advocating for access to mental health and substance use care, and evolving behavioral health services to better meet client needs. The organization encourages applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.

Requirements

Working knowledge of case management and rehabilitation principles related to mental health and/or substance use disorders.
Understanding of challenges faced by individuals with mental health and substance use disorders and familiarity with community-based resources.
Knowledge of treatment modalities, legal requirements, and court-related procedures applicable to behavioral health services.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to work independently while managing complex client needs.
Ability to multitask and coordinate services across multiple community partners.
Ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationships with youth, adults, and families through in-person and phone interactions.
Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or another specialized human services field; a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field plus two years of related work experience; any four-year combination of higher education plus two years of related work experience; an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support; or four years of qualifying experience.
Qualifying experience must include delivering services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities, and must include a combination of the experience areas described in the posting: providing individual or group rehabilitation/habilitation and recovery/resiliency-focused services; teaching and modeling coping and management skills while encouraging natural resources; supporting employment and functioning in family, school, and community settings; or helping individuals achieve treatment-plan goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

Provide community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults, including assessment, treatment planning, and intervention implementation.
Collaborate with clients, families, and interdisciplinary partners to develop and implement individualized treatment plans aligned with client goals.
Use strengths-based, person-centered approaches that emphasize empowerment, skill-building, and resilience.
Apply evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Positive Reinforcement Techniques, and CBT- and DBT-informed skills.
Deliver behavioral and psychosocial interventions, including cognitive processing, interpersonal skill development, group dynamics, and operant conditioning strategies.
Coordinate care with external providers such as primary care physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and community organizations.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation of client services and progress.
Participate in staff development, training, and ongoing education related to mental health services.
Support organizational quality improvement efforts through data collection, reporting, and collaboration.
Work with case managers, therapists, and support staff to ensure coordinated and effective client care.
Build and maintain relationships with parents, teachers, counselors, and other professionals.
Prepare for and facilitate Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) group sessions aligned with client treatment plans.

Benefits

Health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, and other employee benefits.
403(b) retirement savings plan with up to a 5% match for part-time and full-time employees.
Company-paid basic life insurance.
29 days of paid time off for full-time employees.
Emergency Medical Leave Program.
Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent child-care.
Health and Wellness Program.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Employee Discount Program.
Mileage reimbursement when applicable.
Initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive training.
Career mobility and advancement opportunities, including promotion from within.