Cook County

                 Sheriff

Job Code: 0823         

Job Title: Behavioral Health Specialist                      

Salary Grade: 16

Department: Community Support Services, Community Resource Center              

Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 73

Position Details: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Probation Period: 180 days

Designation – SEAM EE: Not Applicable

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

The Behavioral Health Specialist, under the direction of the Clinical Program Manager, will serve as a clinician for Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Community Resource Center (CRC). The Behavioral Health Specialist works with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to engage participants in services and assist them with care coordination. He/she will provide individual and group interventions, case management, and supportive services to clients of the Community Resource Center. He/she will administer assessment measures, develop and review treatment and care plans, and coordinate community linkages for participants. He/she will work with community agencies to coordinate service delivery for community corrections, reentry initiatives, and community members. He/she will provide services to persons returning to the community from the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), those residing in the community under CCSO supervision, survivors of domestic violence, and persons at risk of eviction.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Assesses participants for determination of clinical, socio-emotional and reentry service needs; focuses on diagnostic and functional evaluations and makes recommendations on treatment goals and plans; collects information through interviews and observations.

Provides focused intervention of participants; provides consultation and training to CRC staff to enhance their skill in providing effective management of impacted participants. 

Develops relapse prevention plans and helps participants maintain stability.

Establishes a supportive, motivational, and therapeutic relationship with participants; plans, organizes and leads structured interventions; works to effect behavioral changes and helps individuals make healthier life choices.

Guides individuals in custody in the development of skills to assist in dealing with specific problems; assists with the understanding and management of mental health and chemical dependency issues; serves as a role model and coach regarding development of problem solving, decision-making and conflict resolution skills.

Gathers information about participant’s needs and provides resources; collaborates with other service organizations or entities, within and outside the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Provides preliminary diagnostic information to related agencies in an effort to impact diversion strategies; acts as an advocate in coordinating required services.

Gathers information about community substance abuse and mental health needs and resources that can be utilized; collaborates with other service organizations or entities, within and outside the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Completes and maintains service-related paperwork, in accordance with state and federal requirements; writes reports, treatment plans and recommendations, progress reports and other reports, as required.

Refers individuals in custody to community resources, as necessary; works with Cook County Department of Corrections staff to facilitate coordinated releases to assist behavioral health service providers.

Evaluates the effectiveness of the treatment/care plan in correlation to the participant’s progress in resolving identified problems and meeting identified goals.

Remains informed on new developments in counseling by reading professional literature and attending workshops or seminars.

Demonstrates use of ethics and complies with the standards of practice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Possess a thorough knowledge of the principals, practices and techniques of solution focused and/or substance abuse treatment.

Possess a working knowledge of community resources available to mental health and/or substance abuse programs.

Proficiency in evidence-based practices, assessment, treatment, and care planning and the ability to incorporate these practices in service delivery to persons facing eviction, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, cooccurring disorders, or domestic violence.

Possess a nonjudgmental approach to working with the justice involved individuals and their families, persons facing evictions, and survivors of domestic violence. 

Possess a thorough working knowledge of or the ability to grasp and utilize the policies, protocols, systems, procedures and technical vernacular of the department, agency, and County, as applicable to assigned duties and responsibilities quickly and effectively.

Ability to meet prescribed deadlines.

Possess advanced proficiency in maintaining highly detailed, efficient, and accurate work-related documentation and record keeping.

Ability to communicate effectively (orally and written) with participants, families, partner agencies, and CCSO staff in a professional and compassionate manner.

Ability to work effectively on a multidisciplinary team and individually.

Maintain competencies, related to the forensic population, cultural diversity, clinical practices, communication skills, personal development, and ethics by reading professional literature and attending workshops or seminars.

Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with a treatment team.

Possess a strong sense of compassion and patience and an interest in being of service to an underserved population.

Respect for cultural diversity; and the ability to work respectfully with persons of different genders, ages, races/ethnicities, sexual orientations, sexual identities, disabilities, and SES.

Possess a thorough working knowledge of or the ability to quickly and effectively grasp and utilize the policies, protocols, systems, procedures and technical vernacular of the department, agency and County, as applicable to assigned duties and responsibilities.

Respect for specific workplace cultural diversity concerns and appropriate conduct.

Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.

Ability to work remotely, if needed, in a quiet and private space to protect participant confidentiality and sensitive information acquired related to job responsibilities.   

Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working mandatory overtime, as required.

Ability to be flexible in work location(s), which may be subject to change.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor’s or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences or a closely related field.

Two (2) or more years of full time, professional work experience in the mental health field.

One (1) or more years of full time, professional work experience in conducting mental health assessments.

One (1) or more years of full time, professional work experience providing case management in a racially and ethnically diverse environment.

Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections, including the ability to work directly with the individuals in custody population.

Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.

Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working mandatory overtime, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of a master’s or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences or a closely related field.

Possession of an active state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and/or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).

Possession of certification as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC).

Three (3) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a community mental health and/or hospital setting, performing mental health counseling and assessments.

One (1) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a correctional facility.

Possession of bilingual language skills.

Acquaintance with the laws governing the establishment and operation of the Cook County Department of Corrections, familiarity with municipal and state criminal codes and procedures and knowledge of basic penal management security.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

**Article EE, Civilian Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link:

https://cookcountysheriffil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Selection-Process-updated-11-15-25.pdf

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site on the Human Resource page.

Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Benefits

Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.

Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1^st) also qualify for a floating holiday.

Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.

Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.

Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.

Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten

(10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.

Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at:

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2025-09/OE26.Employee Benefits Overview (EBO)_County.pdf

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. *

This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM)

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance. If the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”

The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision.