Behavior Specialist

PADS Lake County is seeking a licensed Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) to join our Mental Health for Housing Stability program in providing ongoing, light-touch, and intensive counseling to homeless individuals who present with or self report mental health challenges. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the licensed Behavioral Health Specialist will have an interest in social services (homelessness), and a heart for advocacy. The chosen candidate will provide onsite group therapeutic activities that rebuild client trust in institutions like PADS while exploring their own feelings, behavior, and coping skills. The BHS will work closely with a dedicated case manager to connect clients to mainstream mental health services, effectively closing the mental health services gap for homeless individuals.

This full-time position requires strong enthusiasm for promoting PADS’ mission and goals. The position will include elements of professional writing, project management, and collaborative interaction with PADS staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate is detail oriented/organized, possesses strong writing and interpersonal skills, can juggle multiple responsibilities, and comfortable working with a team and independently.

The success of the Behavioral Health Specialist will be measured by the number of clients engaging in onsite and individual mental health programming, number of clients connected to mainstream mental health providers, increased number of clients with a documented mental health disability and treatment plans where appropriate, clients learn better medication management techniques, and a reduction in mental health barriers that hinder shelter and housing placements.

Client Engagement

• Develop shared goals that support the client in managing his/her own mental health.
• Advise, educate, and support clients in treating their mental health/illness.
• Identify, diagnose, and document clients’ mental health disabilities.
• Conduct therapeutic style groups with clients who frequent PADS’s Day Resource Center
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Collaboration and Linkage to Care

• Refer clients to the appropriate mainstream mental health services.
• Support ongoing care coordination with partners when clients are referred to mainstream services.
• Collaborate with a dedicated case manager to support client in accessing health insurance.
• Advocate for clients to reduce barriers to access mainstream mental health services.
• Educate public on mental health services gap in the county.
• Attend events as needed

Documentation

• Use industry standards to document client interaction and progress towards goals.
• Provide mental health assessments and treatment plans to clients who present with or self-identify as having a disability.
• Update clients’ HMIS profile with relevant information that aids in meeting clients’ housing needs.
• Participate in clinical case conferencing and collaboration with PADS staff and community partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Must hold clinical licensure or plan to obtain it within 6 months of being employed with PADS.
• Exceptional communications, writing/editing skills with strong attention to details and follow through.
• Excellent people skills and ability to communicate client needs and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Experience managing a clinical caseload.

Competencies

• Planning and Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; and develops realistic action plans.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; and uses reason and professional behavior even when dealing with challenging topics.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; and able to multi-task and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; and commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Quality and Quantity of Work – Meets PADS’ quality of work requirements; complies with PAD’s productivity standards; and completes work in a timely manner while continuously working to improve productivity.

Experience

Experience: 1 years, preferably in a similar social service field

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Office

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Waukegan, IL (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Waukegan, IL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1,000 - $65,000