Community Support Specialist - North Side Chicago

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

PTO & holidays

Health plans

Retirement plan

EAP

Mileage reimbursement

Cell phone reimbursement

Public service loan forgiveness

Licensure supervision

Licensure reimbursement

Job summary

Thresholds is seeking a Community Support Specialist to provide mental health and substance use treatment support in clients' communities in Chicago, IL. You will engage in care planning, remove barriers to care, and connect clients with resources to support growth and recovery.

Daily tasks include coordinating transportation to appointments, accompanying clients to visits, and helping with daily living skills.

Qualifications

• Requires strong communication and written skills for documenting care plans and progress notes.
• Candidates must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license with daily access to a car.
• Roles involve navigating healthcare systems and coordinating transportation for clients.
• Education paths include a mix of clinical experience or degrees in psychology/social work.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health and substance use treatment support in clients' communities.
• Engage in care planning to support client growth and recovery.
• Remove barriers to care by case management and resource connection.
• Assist clients with daily living skills and transport to appointments.
• Adapt to each client's schedule and treatment plan.

Skills

Effective communication

Writing skills

Time management

Age 21+

Driver's license

Car ownership

Willingness to transport clients

Education

High school diploma or GED + 5 years supervised clinical experience

Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work

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

Master's degree in Psychology or Social Work

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:

• Effective communication and relationship-building
• 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

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: $23.10 - $28.89/hour / $48,048 - $60,100 annually
  • Commensurate with education, experience, and licensure
  • $1000 salary increase for LSW or LPC licensure
  • $1000 salary increase for CRSS
• Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
• 4 medical insurance plans, dental insurance, & vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan 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 (CRSS, LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license 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.

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.