Behavioral Health Specialist

General Overview

The Behavioral Health Specialist works within the Programs Department at the Cook County Department of Corrections. A Behavioral Health Specialist works with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to engage individuals in custody in programs and assist them with care coordination in the community post release. They perform individual and group counseling, case management, and supportive services for individuals in custody at the Cook County Department of Corrections. They participate in conducting intake assessments for core programs such as the Mental Health Transition Center (MHTC), the Sheriff’s Anti-Violence Program (SAVE), the Sheriff’s Men’s Addiction Rehabilitation Treatment (SMART) program, the Sheriff’s Opioid Addiction Recovery Program (SOAR) or the Therapeutic Healing Recovery Initiative for Vitality & Empowerment (THRIVE).They administer assessment measures, develops, and reviews treatment and discharge plans, and coordinates community linkages for individuals in custody. The Behavioral Health Specialist demonstrates a collaborative attitude in support of mental health services, recovery, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office department philosophy and mission.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Assesses individuals in custody 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 individuals in custody; provides consultation and training to CCSO staff to enhance their skill in providing effective management of impacted individuals in custody.

Develops relapse prevention plans and helps individuals in custody maintain stability.

Establishes a supportive, motivational, and therapeutic relationship with individuals in custody; plans, organizes and leads structured programs, including individual and group therapeutic services; 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 treatment-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 plan in correlation to the individuals in custody’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.

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

Possess knowledge of security procedures for the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Possess advanced proficiency in maintaining highly detailed, efficient, and accurate work-related documentation and record keeping; possess attention to detail.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

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

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.

Ability to meet prescribed deadlines.

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 on adult populations.

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

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

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

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.

*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.