Counselor II - WRS

Counselor II - WRS

Salary

$22.83 Hourly

Location

Womens Residential Facility - Vernon Hills, IL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

16505

Department

Health Department

Division

Behavioral Health

Opening Date

07/15/2026

Salary Grade

Hourly.4

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

The Counselor II is a valuable member of our Womens Residential Services Program (WRS) who evaluates and assesses clients. Prepares and implements treatment plans with clients. Provides therapeutic and supportive services to clients, including individual, group, and family counseling and case management. Prepares and presents education seminars to clients, their families, the public and other service providers on substance use and/or mental health. In residential programs, responsible for unit coverage. Counseling and case management duties are generally office based.

Schedule hours: 40 hours a week

• Tuesday - Saturday (7:00am-3:30pm)

Essential Functions

• Provides direct services to clients, including organizing and facilitating individual and group treatment and activities, supervision of the milieu, case management and outreach.
• Develops clients' abilities to problem-solve interpersonal conflicts.
• Facilitates with clients and collaborates with the treatment team to develop, review, and update treatment goals and referrals both internally and externally.
• Takes responsibility for training in and documenting clinical chart requirements to meet program and state standards.
• 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 on assigned clients. Reports client progress, behavior problems or need for medication evaluation to program supervisors/physicians/psychiatrists/ and MCOs regularly.
• Conducts crisis intervention/evaluation/referral to people who present themselves at the program (this is a rare occasion- admits are pre-planned).
• Performs initial evaluations and assessments of potential clients regarding their appropriateness for participation in the program. Performs admission duties for newly admitted clients. Provides ongoing assessment of client's progress/growth.
• In residential programs, provide coverage of the unit/site, ensuring 24-hour coverage is always maintained.
• Works with clients to secure and maintain entitlements, housing and other needed services.
• Monitors clients to ensure that they are caring adequately for themselves and for the facility and furnishings.
• Demonstrates/teaches ADLs, when required.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Bachelors degree in a related field, or
• Bachelors in any field and two (2) years experience, or
• High School diploma or GED and five (5) years experience
• Must possess a valid drivers license.

All professional staff providing clinical services, shall:

• Hold clinical certification as a (CADC) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor from the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA) or
• Be a licensed professional counselor or licensed clinical professional counselor pursuant to the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act; or
• Be a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches pursuant to the Medical Practice Act of 1987; or
• Be licensed as a psychologist pursuant to the Clinical Psychology Practice Act [225 ILCS 15]; or
• Be licensed as a social worker or licensed clinical social worker pursuant to the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act [225 ILCS 20].

Any new professional staff, who will provide clinical services in a treatment or designated program service and who do not meet the requirements of above when hired shall meet the requirements specified in within (2) two years after the date of employment in the substance use disorder (SUD) field. Time in the SUD field is accumulative, it is not per employment episode.

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.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.

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

How many years of relevant experience do you possess?

• 1-2 years
• 2-5years
• 5-7 years
• 7-10 years
• 10+ years

04

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

• Yes
• No

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