Director of Behavioral Health - Correctional Medicine

UIC; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 82,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid time Off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) seeks a Director of Behavioral Health for the correctional medicine program at the Winnebago County Justice Center in Rockford, IL. The role ensures timely care for detainees, conducts psychiatric assessments, and leads the behavioral health team, coordinating with medical and corrections staff.

You will develop treatment plans, supervise staff, and monitor data quality, with a focus on improving outcomes for justice-involved populations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social or behavioral science is required.
• Unrestricted IL licensure as LCSW/LCPC/LMFT required by start date.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and written evaluations to the behavioral health team.
• Perform behavioral health assessments and diagnose disorders.
• Develop comprehensive behavioral health treatment plans for detainees.
• Provide individual and group counseling sessions.
• Educate WCJC staff on behavioral health needs.
• Coordinate with judicial system to optimize detainee care.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Leadership

Correctional healthcare experience

Education

Master’s degree in social or behavioral science

IL licensure as LCSW/LCPC/LMFT

Job description

Director of Behavioral Health - Correctional Medicine

Rockford, IL, United States

Salary: The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $82,000 to $87,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Position Summary

The Director of Behavioral Health is responsible for ensuring optimal and timely care for detainees at the Winnebago County Justice Center (WCJC). This position is responsible for performing behavioral health assessments to determine detainees' level of mental health functioning, evaluating the presence of mental health and/or substance use disorders, and providing individual and group counseling sessions. This position also has administrative and leadership responsibilities, including the supervision, coordination, and scheduling of the behavioral health team. Additional responsibilities include overseeing data collection for the county, and both monitoring and reporting of data. This position works under the supervision of the Chief Psychiatrist.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and written performance evaluations to the behavioral health team, manage day-to-day work assignments and schedules, mentor and support the onboarding of new hires.
• Perform behavioral health assessments of detainees, diagnose behavioral health and substance use disorders, and make referrals for treatment services within WCJC as well as post-discharge services.
• Develop comprehensive behavioral health treatment plans addressing detainees’ mental health, substance use disorder, and social service needs.
• Provide individual and group counseling sessions and education to detainees.
• Provide education and training to WCJC staff related to behavioral health needs of the detainee population.
• Provide social service recommendations to corrections and criminal justice professionals regarding detainee cases.
• Coordinate with the judicial system to optimize detainee care and outcomes.
• Enter data into electronic medical records for patient encounters, group visits, and assessments.
• Provide timely reports for monthly departmental meetings as well as those required by the WCJC.
• Attend administrative, leadership, team, and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Monitor the quality of care provided by the behavioral health team.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science
• Unrestricted State of IL licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker OR Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor OR Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, required by the start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing clinical supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Previous correctional healthcare experience or experience working with underserved or justice-involved patient populations.
• Experience related to substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Final date to apply: Friday, December 4th, 2026, at 11:59 pm Central Time

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.