FIRST RESPONDER SERVICES PROGRAM LEAD

Pillars of Wellness; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IRA match

Paid Time Off

10 Holidays

Wellness Days

Professional Development Days

Flexible schedule

Remote work options

Group supervision

Fulfilling environment

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Pillars of Wellness seeks a compassionate clinician to lead the First Responder Services program, serving law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, and frontline personnel while expanding the program.

You will oversee clinical leadership, mentor specialists, facilitate group consultations, and build partnerships with public safety agencies and community partners, balancing direct care with program growth.

Qualifications

• Licensed mental health professional (e.g., LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LPC, or equivalent).
• Experience or training with trauma, PTSD, critical incident stress, or first responder populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and mentorship to First Responder Services Specialists.
• Facilitate group consultations and trainings.
• Develop partnerships with public safety agencies and community organizations.

Skills

Clinical License

Trauma-Informed Care

First Responder Wellness

Leadership

Mentoring

Program Development

Partnership Building

Group Facilitation

Cultural Competence

Independent Working

Job description

Description

Pillars of Wellness is seeking a compassionate, resilient, and mission-driven clinician to serve as the First Responder Services Program Lead. This role is ideal for a provider who is passionate about supporting the mental health and well‑being of law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, dispatchers, and other frontline personnel while leading the continued growth and development of a specialized behavioral health program.

As Program Lead, you will oversee and expand the First Responder Services Program by providing clinical leadership, mentoring First Responder Services Specialists, facilitating group consultations, and developing partnerships with public safety agencies and community organizations. You will collaborate with departments to strengthen organizational wellness initiatives while maintaining a reduced clinical caseload and providing trauma‑informed, culturally competent care to first responders and their families.

This position qualifies as a Center of Excellence (CoE) leadership role, allowing you to balance direct clinical care with program innovation, leadership, community outreach, and organizational wellness initiatives. The CoE model empowers clinicians to develop specialized expertise while creating meaningful impact throughout their communities.

Qualifications

• Associate or fully licensed mental health professional (e.g., LCSW, LMHC, LMHC‑A, LMFT, LMFT‑A, LPC, or equivalent).
• Experience and/or specialized training working with trauma, PTSD, critical incident stress, or first responder populations preferred.
• Understanding of the unique culture, operational demands, and occupational stressors experienced by first responders.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, mentoring, or program development experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead, mentor, and inspire others.
• Experience providing trauma‑informed, evidence‑based therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with agency leadership and community partners.
• Experience developing and facilitating trainings, workshops, or educational programming preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance clinical, leadership, and community partnership responsibilities.
• Passion for supporting those who serve others and expanding access to specialized behavioral health services for first responder communities.

Job Benefits

• IRA with a 3% company match
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Wellness Days
• Professional Development Days
• Flexible schedule
• Work‑from‑home opportunities
• Supportive environment with weekly group supervision opportunities
• Fulfilling workplace
• Career and organizational growth opportunities

Why Join Pillars?

At Pillars of Wellness, you will lead a specialized program that directly supports the mental health of first responders and the agencies they serve. This role combines clinical work with program leadership, community partnerships, and the opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up.