Mental Health Technician Trainee

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis - Jobboard; Kankakee (IL); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

3 paid personal business days

12 paid sick days

10–25 days paid vacation

13 paid holidays

Flexible work schedules

Maternity/Paternity leave

Tuition reimbursement

Commuter savings (Chicago only)

Job summary

Illinois Department of Human Services is hiring a Mental Health Technician Trainee at Shapiro Center in Kankakee, Illinois. The trainee will receive six to twelve months of training and perform entry level personal care services, educational, social, vocational and therapeutic activities for intellectually disabled individuals.

The program includes formal classes in routine nursing practices to gain basic understanding, with compliance to public health requirements.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work after business hours, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Receives training and instruction and performs entry level, routine personal care services, educational, social, vocational and therapeutic activities in the treatment and habilitation of intellectually disabled individuals at Shapiro Center.
• Participates in the Interdisciplinary Team process and assists under direct observation in the active treatment/daily activity schedule.
• Gains familiarity with each individual’s sensory, medical and physical condition.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly unit through housekeeping tasks and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Performs other duties as required within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Agency: Department of Human Services

Job Requisition ID:49289

Opening Date:08/26/2026

Closing Date: 08/27/2027

Salary:Anticipated Salary: $4,272 - $5,641 per month ($51,264 - $67,692 per year)

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

While not required, a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) is recommended. When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Division of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to hire a Mental Health Technician Trainee at the Shapiro Center located in Kankakee, Illinois. The incumbent will, for a period of time from six and not to exceed twelve months, receives training and instruction and performs entry level, routine personal care services, educational, social, vocational and therapeutic activities in the treatment and habilitation of intellectually disabled individuals at Shapiro Center. Attends formal classes for instruction in routine nursing practices and techniques to gain basic understanding in nature, cause, treatment and habilitation of intellectual disabilities. Ensures compliance with Illinois Department of Public Health requirements when performing duties.

Essential Functions

• For a period from six (6) and not to exceed twelve (12) months, receives training and instruction and performs entry level, routine personal care services, educational, social, vocational and therapeutic activities in the treatment and habilitation of intellectually disabled individuals at Shapiro Center.
• Receives training in the Interdisciplinary Team process and assists under direct observation, in the implementation of the active treatment/daily activity schedule on the programmatic unit.
• Through direct observation, achieves familiarity with each individual’s sensory, medical and physical condition.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly unit by performing general housekeeping tasks, such as spot mopping, cleaning spills, wiping tables and making of beds and lifting up 50 pounds.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Requires the ability to physically restrain individuals as necessary to prevent injury to the individual or others.
• Requires the ability to work after business hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires ability to pass standard Physical Agility testing.
• Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.

*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Job Family: Health Services; Social Services

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Human Services serves families in need all across Illinois. Our mission is providing equitable access to social services, supports, programs and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve. We are committed to the core values of Human Dignity, Equity, Community, Urgency, Transparency and Kindness.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• *Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour Work Schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 10 Weeks Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx