Counselor II - Community Support Services

Counselor II - Community Support Services

Salary

$22.83 Hourly

Location

Waukegan, IL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

Counselor II CSS/CM

Department

Health Department

Division

Behavioral Health

Opening Date

06/23/2026

Salary Grade

Hourly.4

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

The Counselor II of the Community Support Services program will provide comprehensive support services for adults who suffer from chronic serious mental illness.

• Provide linkage to community-based resources, support clients in their recovery efforts, and provide them with skills/support to remain in an independent living situation.

• Complete Lake County Health Department (LCHD) and/or state-based assessments to determine type and intensity of services

Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours a week

• Monday- Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Essential Functions

• Provides direct services to clients, including case management and outreach. Services are generally provided in the community.
• Develops clients' abilities to problem-solve interpersonal conflicts.
• Facilitates with clients and collaborates with the treatment team to develop, review, and update treatment goals.
• Takes responsibility for training in and documenting clinical chart requirements to meet program and state standards.
• Provides an atmosphere of customer service in assuring that clients are treated in a friendly and respectful manner.
• Focuses on client empowerment and evidence-based practices in providing treatment, seeking to assist clients to build on strengths in addressing treatment needs.
• Provides education and direction to clients, family members and/or significant others.
• Organizes and participates in treatment-related clinical conferences and staffing's on assigned clients.
• Reports client progress, behavior problems, or need for medication evaluation to program supervisors/physicians/psychiatrists regularly.
• Conducts crisis intervention/evaluation/referral to persons who present themselves at the program.
• Performs initial evaluations and assessments of potential clients regarding their appropriateness for participation in the program.
• Provides ongoing assessment of client's progress/growth.
• Performs community outreach to clients to enhance engagement with and follow through on treatment plan goals.
• Provides linkage/referral, support, and advocacy with other community resources for clients.
• Works with clients to secure and maintain entitlements, housing, and other needed services.
• Demonstrates/teaches ADLs, when required.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or

• Bachelor's in any field and two (2) years' experience, or

• High School diploma or GED and five (5) years' experience

• Requires use of personal vehicle when a LCHD fleet vehicle is not available for case management activities, client appointments, crisis response, community outreach, or other job-related activities.

• Must possess a valid drivers license.

Supplemental Information

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at https://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements. This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

Here at the Health Department, we are proud to employ a diverse workforce of dedicated individuals focused on promoting the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought and collaboration, enabling each employee to perform at their maximum potential and to more effectively work with clients, patients, and employees. We offer:

• Paid Time Off to support work-life balance
• IMRF Pension and 457 retirement plans

You can find more details on our benefits on our website at https://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department/p/benefits.

01

Please share why you are interested in working for this program and how your experience directly relates to this opening.

02

List the types of clinical programs you have experience with.

03

HD - Do you have experience with behavioral health treatment planning and mental health assessments.

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of relevant experience do you possess?

• 1 year
• 2 year
• 3 year
• 4 year
• 5 plus

05

Do you have experience with any (EMR) Electronic Medical Records systems; such as NextGen? If yes, explain. If not, lists the systems you have used.

06

Do you have a current and valid drivers license and automobile insurance?

• Yes
• No

07

This position requires regular driving of clients to various points throughout Lake County using a Lake County vehicle. Driving times can exceed one hour or more, several times per day. Would you be able to handle this amount of regular driving?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Lake County

Department Health Department Address 3010 Grand Avenue

Waukegan, Illinois, 60085

Phone 847-377-8000

Website https://www.lakecountyil.gov/148/Health-Department-Community-Health-Cente