MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN I
About this role
Job Requisition ID: 57993
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 09/03/2026
Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN I (27011)
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Salary: $4,867 - $6,657 per month ($58,404 - $79,884 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 4
Bargaining Unit Code: RC009 Institutional Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
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.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
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 Behavioral Health and Recovery is seeking to hire a Mental Health Technician I for the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center located in Chicago, Illinois to perform beginning level duties on a unit for the care, treatment and rehabilitation for individuals served with mental illness, on an assigned shift. Assists in providing physical care, developing self help skills and supervision of daily living skills. Escorts patients to recreational activities and medical appointments as assigned. Performs simple nursing procedures. Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team. Travels in performance of job duties.
Essential Functions
- On an assigned shift, performs beginning level duties on a unit for the care, treatment and rehabilitation for individuals served with mental illness.
- Assists in providing physical care, developing self-help skills and supervision of daily living skills.
- Performs beginning level program duties.
- Escorts patient to recreational activities and medical appointments.
- Assists in performance of housekeeping duties to maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment including dusting furniture and maintaining clothing inventories.
- Performs simple nursing procedures, i.e. blood pressures, weights, collect specimens for lab, etc.
- Completes all Department of Human Services (DHS) and Chicago-Read Mental Health Center mandatory training requirements and participates in continuing education workshops and/or seminars to maintain age and disability specific professional competency through observation and evaluation.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school.
- Requires successful completion of a comprehensive training program at the Mental Health Technician Trainee level.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires moderate to heavy physical effort in lifting patients, up to 50 pounds unassisted.
- Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
- Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties.
- 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.
Work Hours: Various shifts, see below:
(1 vacancy) 6:45 am - 3:00 pm; Week 1: Mon/Sat off, Week 2: Sun/Wed off, Repeats every 14 days, 45 min unpaid lunch, A-South
(1 vacancy) 10:45 pm - 7:00 am; Week 1: Wed/Sat off, Week 2: Sun/Fri off, Repeats every 14 days, 45 min unpaid lunch, A-South
(1 vacancy) 10:45pm - 7:00 am; Week 1: Tues/Sat off, Week 2: Sun/Fri off, Repeats every 14 days, 45 min unpaid lunch, A-South
(1 vacancy) 2:45pm - 11:00 pm; Week 1: Mon/Sat off, Week 2: Sun/Thurs off, Repeats every 14 days, 45 min unpaid lunch, C-South
Headquarter Location: 4200 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60634
Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
Nursing Services
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: [email protected]
Posting Group: Health Services; Social Services
About the Agency:
The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being of everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.
As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:
- A Pension Program
- 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 & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
- 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
- Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
- 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
- Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
- GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
- 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
- Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
Company at a glance
DCFS is responsible for protecting children and strengthening families through the investigation and intervention of suspected child abuse. If you suspect a child is being maltreated or a family is in need of help, call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE. All calls are confidential. The Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day.
Top Benefits
- Pension Program
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Paid Personal Business Days
- Paid Sick Days
- Paid Vacation Time
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program
- Medical Care Assistance Plan
- Dependent Care Assistance Plan
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Commuter Savings Program
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