Community Support Specialist - West Side

Thresholds; Illinois; On-site; USD 46,800 - 50,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Licensure incentives

Generous PTO

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Medical insurance plans

403(b) retirement plan with match

Employee assistance program

Cell phone reimbursement

Public service loan forgiveness

Licensure supervision

Licensure reimbursement

Job summary

Thresholds in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Community Support Specialist for on-site work on the West Side. You will provide mental health and substance use treatment support in clients’ communities, assisting with care planning, resources, and navigating systems to remove barriers to care.

You will drive clients to appointments, benefits offices, and daily needs, adapting to each client’s schedule and treatment plan while growing clinically through supervision and training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum education paths including high school diploma or GED with clinical experience, or degrees in psychology/social work.
• Ability to build relationships with clients and collaborate with care teams.
• Valid driver's license and access to own transportation for client visits.
• Willingness to provide transportation to clients as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management to connect clients with resources and services.
• Assist clients with daily living skills and navigating complex systems.
• Transport clients to doctors, benefits offices, and groceries as needed.
• Engage in care planning and support client growth and recovery.

Skills

Effective communication

Relationship-building

Time management

Age 21+

Driver's license

Transportation to clients

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s in Psychology/Social Work

Bachelor’s in unrelated field + 2 years clinical

Master’s in Psychology/Social Work

Job description

Community Support Specialist - West Side

Job Category: Staff

Requisition Number: COMMU008118

• Posted : July 23, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Cook County Chicago, IL, USA

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
• 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 - $22.50 - $24.42/hour / $46,800 - $50,800 annually
• Based upon education, experience, and licensure
• Clinical Roles – list below
• $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)
• 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.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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