Behavioral Health Advocate City of Champaign, IL Champaign - IL - US Salary: USD76,312 - USD97,436 Apply here: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ad61e61541f8796a **Position Overview** --------------------- The City of Champaign Equity and Engagement Department is seeking a service- and community-focused **Behavioral Health Advocate** to work in the 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. **Job Responsibilities** ------------------------ 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, May 31, 2026** **Other Information** 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: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center. The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office **Employer** City of Champaign **Address** 102 North Neil St. Floor 1 Champaign, Illinois, 61820 **Phone** (217) 403-8770 **Website** http://www.champaignil.gov This position is classified as Non-Bargaining Unit Non-Exempt. This information is current as of February 12, 2026. **HEALTH INSURANCE** The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nation-wide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The City of Champaign pays up to $580 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $580 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2026/2027 plan year, NBU-NE Full-Time Employees contribute 1.5203% of salary towards employee only health care. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee’s last day of work at the City. **Health Insurance Premiums PPO (2026-27 Plan Year)** **Type of Coverage** **City Pays (per month)** **Employee Pays (per month)** Employee Only $580 + City share of premium above $580 1.5203% of salary Spouse $644.00 644.00 Children (one or more) $399.50 $399.50 Family (spouse and children) $690.50 $690.50 **DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE** Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st). The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan and Delta Dental High Plan. **Dental Premiums** **Type of Coverage** **Low Monthly Premium** **High Monthly Premium** Employee Only $25.54 $ 44.50 Employee/Spouse $52.57 $ 91.60 Employee/Children $60.01 $102.82 Family $95.76 $163.08 Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed. **Vision Premiums** **Type of Coverage** **Monthly Premium** Employee Only $ 7.34 Employee/One Dependent $13.94 Family $20.48 **LIFE INSURANCE** The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents. * Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age. * Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age. * Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children. * Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children. + Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children. + Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children. **PENSION** Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2026, the City contributes 7.97 percent of eligible employee’s salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions. Per IMRF Guidelines, all “*unused, unpaid sick leave”* goes towards IMRF service credit for employees who retire from the City and whose effective date of their pension is within 60 days of their retirement. You will earn one month of service credit for every 20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave at the time of retirement. Employees with 1-20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave receive one (1) month of additional service credit, employees with 21-40 days of unused, unpaid sick leave will receive two (2) months, etc. If you have any questions regarding this, you can reach out to the Human Resources Department or IMRF directly. **RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)** A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for NBU employees. NBU employees participate in a mandatory contribution of 1 percent of pre-tax salary into an RHS investment account. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents. **Note****:** Upon separation, a mandatory 50 percent of accrued vacation, compensatory and payout-eligible sick leave will be contributed to your RHS balance. **HOLIDAYS** *New Year’s Day* *Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday* *Memorial Day* *Juneteenth* *Independence Day* *Labor Day* *Veterans Day* *Thanksgiving Day* *Friday after Thanksgiving* *Christmas Eve* *Christmas Day* **PERSONAL LEAVE** At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours). Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave is prorated based on the number of hours of regularly scheduled work. **Date Of Hire** **Personal Leave Credits** 7/1 - 10/31 24 hours 11/1 - 2/29 16 hours 3/1 - 6/30 8 hours **VACATION** Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Vacation leave is prorated based on the number of hours of regularly scheduled work. Vacation accrual rates and maximum accumulations are: **Years of Service** **Biweekly Accrual/Year** **Max Accumulation** Beginning with Year 1 through 4 3.69 hours/12 days 192 hours/24 days Beginning with Year 5 4.31 hours/14 days 224 hours/28 days Beginning with Year 6 through 7 5.08 hours/16.5 days 264 hours/33 days Beginning with Year 8 through 9 5.54 hours/18 days 288 hours/36 days Beginning with Year 10 through11 5.85 hours/19 days 304 hours/38 days Beginning with Year 12 through 14 6.00 hours/19.5 days 312 hours/39 days Beginning with Year 15 through 19 6.15 hours/20 days 320 hours/40 days Beginning with Year 20 through 24 6.77 hours/22 days 352 hours/44 days Beginning with Year 25 through Separation 7.69 hours/25 days 400 hours/50 days **SICK LEAVE** Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month). The maximum accumulation of sick leave is 1,200 hours. Employees begin with a “bank” of 48 hours and start accruing sick leave after six (6) months. The maximum accumulation of sick leave is 1,200 hours. Sick leave is prorated based on the number of hours of regularly scheduled work. **LONGEVITY PAY** Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees’ base wage rate, as follows: **Years of Service** **Longevity Rate** 10 years 5.0 percent 20 years 10.0 percent **DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN** The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400) or Human Resources at 217-403-8770. **HANDBOOK** View the current Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) Handbook at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.