Community Support Specialist

Thresholds; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Medical insurance

Job summary

Thresholds is seeking a Community Support Specialist to provide mental health and substance use treatment support within clients’ environments. You will engage in care planning and help clients access resources to navigate complex systems, supporting daily living and transportation to essential appointments.

The role emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and ongoing professional development through supervision and education, with a Monday–Friday daytime schedule.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience.
• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management to remove barriers to mental healthcare by connecting clients with resources.
• Help clients navigate complex systems and access daily living supports.
• Drive clients to doctors' appointments, benefits offices, or grocery stores as needed.
• Adapt to each client’s schedule, needs, and treatment plan on a daily basis.

Skills

Passion for mental health

Communication skills

Writing skills

Time management

Age 21+

Driver's license

Transportation to clients

Shift: Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Psychology/Social Work or related field

Bachelor's in unrelated field + 2 years supervised clinical experience

Master's degree in Psychology/Social Work or related field

Job description

At Thresholds, we believe in meeting people where they're at - in their environment and on their journey to recovery. Community Support Specialists (CSS) provide mental health and substance use treatment support where it makes the most impact - in a person's community.

Working as a Community Support Specialist is a unique learning opportunity. Through care planning, you will be an integral part of a client's growth and recovery. You will remove barriers to mental healthcare through case management: connecting our clients with resources and helping them navigate complex systems. You will help clients strengthen daily living skills as you drive them to doctors' appointments, to benefits offices, or to the grocery store. Each day will be a little bit different, requiring you to adapt to your client's schedule, needs, and treatment plan.

The culture at Thresholds is collaborative and supportive, providing you with the tools and resources you need for the best client care. Opportunities for training and professional development, including clinical supervision, will deepen your knowledge and expand your clinical skills in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices. This invaluable experience will set you up for a variety of career paths and growth opportunities within our organization.

To succeed in this role, you need:

• Passion for mental health advocacy


• Effective communication and relationship-building skills


• Good writing skills


• Strong time management and organization


• To be at least 21 years old


• A valid driver's license, current car insurance, and daily access to your own car


• Willingness to provide transportation to clients


• SHIFT: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Many education and experience paths are eligible for this role:

• High school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience


• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field


• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience


• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field

What sets Thresholds apart:

• Competitive Pay: Pay Range: $24.85 - $26.83 per hour (Annually $51,688 - $55,800)


• Based upon education, experience, and licensure


• $1000 salary increase for LSW or LPC licensure


• $1000 salary increase for CRSS


• Generous PTO


• Dental insurance, vision insurance,4 medical insurance plans


• 403(b) retirement plans with 3% employer match


• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)


• Mileage reimbursement


• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)


• Public service loan forgiveness


• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)


• Reimbursement for licensure and licensure renewal

Thresholds is a mission-driven agency with a deep commitment to fostering an environment where all feel valued and respected, a place where every employee can be themselves, thrive, and support the agency's mission. Click here to learn more.

One of the oldest and largest community mental health organizations in Illinois, we pride ourselves in being a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and one of Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, several years in a row.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.