Crisis Counselor - Crisis Care Program (Full-time)

Crisis Counselor - Crisis Care Program (Full-time)

Salary

$22.83 Hourly

Location

Waukegan, IL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

CCP - FT

Department

Health Department

Division

Behavioral Health

Opening Date

06/25/2026

Salary Grade

Hourly.4

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

The Counselor II is a valuable member of our Crisis Care Team who provides crisis intervention services to clients via the crisis hotline, in-person, and clients in the inpatient residential unit. Evaluate and assess clients for level of care. Prepares and implements treatment plans with clients. Provides therapeutic and supportive services to clients, including individual, group, and case management. Responsible for unit coverage and emergency telephone interventions.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who

• Provides direct crisis intervention services to clients, including organizing and facilitating individual and group treatment and activities, supervision of the milieu, and case management and outreach.
• Provide an atmosphere of customer service assuring that clients are treated in a friendly and respectful manner.
• Ability to speak kindly and provide direction on crisis calls and in respite care.

Scheduled Hours: 40 hours a week

• 10am - 6:30pm
• Rotating weekends
• $5.00 per hour shift differential for working hours deemed eligible for shift and weekend premium

Essential Functions

• Develop clients' abilities to problem-solve interpersonal conflicts.
• Collaborates with clients and 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.
• Provides education and direction to clients, family members and/or significant others.
• Organizes and participates in treatment-related clinical conferences and staffings on assigned clients. Reports client progress, behavior problems, or need for medication evaluation to program supervisors/physicians/psychiatrists regularly.
• Participates in staff meetings, in-service training, and seminars to facilitate professional growth and maintain licensure if required.
• 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.
• Provides coverage of the unit/site, ensuring 24-hour coverage is maintained at all times.
• In outpatient programs, provides weekend or evening coverage as 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
• Must possess a valid driver's 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.

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

How many years of clinical/behavioral health experience do you have?

• 1-2 years
• 3-5 years
• 6-10 years
• 10 plus

02

List the types of clinical programs you have experience with.

03

What is your experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques?

04

What strategies do you use to build trust with clients who may be hesitant to open up?

05

What would you do if you learned one of your clients was considering self-harm or suicide?

06

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when working with clients in a crisis?

07

How would your previous experience in this field help you be successful in this role?

08

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

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have experience with any electronic medical records systems; such as NextGen? If yes, explain. If not, lists the systems you have used.

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