Counselor I - Residential Group Home

Salary: $21.04 Hourly
Location : Belvidere Medical Building - Waukegan, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 12349
Department: Health Department
Division: Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 05/08/2026
Salary Grade: Hourly.3


General Description
This Residential Group Home is a supervised residential setting for adults living with severe mental illness which helps residents understand their condition, develop coping skills, and improve their interpersonal and daily living skills. Services include medication monitoring and psychiatric care; linkage to community resources; and life skills training (i.e., budget management, cooking, housekeeping, and personal care).
The Counselor I is responsible for evaluating and admitting clients. Prepares and implements treatment plans with clients. Provides individual, group, and family counseling and education and provides chemical dependency education to general public, service providers and individuals.


Schedule Hours: 40 hours a week

• Wednesday's 11:00am-2:00pm.
• Thursday- Saturday 9:30pm to 9:30am
• $5.00 per hour shift differential for working hours deemed eligible for shift and weekend premium.

Essential Functions

• Conducts crisis intervention/evaluation/referral to persons who present themselves at the program.
• Performs initial evaluations and assessments of potential clients regarding their appropriateness for participation in the program.
• Focuses on client empowerment and evidence bases practices in providing treatment, seeking to assist clients to build on strengths in addressing treatment needs.
• Provides direct services to clients including individual and group treatment.
• Facilitates with clients and collaborates with the treatment team to develop, review and update treatment goals and referrals both internally and externally.
• Provides education and direction to clients, family members and/or significant others.
• Takes responsibility for training in and documenting clinical chart requirements to meet program and state standards.
• Provides consultation to assist in the identification of persons in need of treatment and makes referrals as appropriate.
• Provides atmosphere of customer service in assuring that clients are treated in a friendly and respectful manner. Displays positive attitudes and behaviors in the accomplishment of job duties.
• Organizes and participates in treatment-related clinical conferences and staffings on assigned clients.
• Provides program coverage including weekends as assigned.

• Assist in support services such as reviewing clinical charts, admission and discharge checklists, maintaining supplies of forms and documents.
• Assist in the responsibility of maintaining rotating 24-hour on-site coverage

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• High school diploma or GED and 3 years of experience, or
• Associate's degree in a related field
• Requires use of personal vehicle when a LCHD fleet vehicle is not available for case management activities, client appointments, crisis response, community outreach or other job-related activities.
• Must possess valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information
As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at


At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: position is represented by AFSCME Council 31

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Here at the Health Department, we are proud to employ a diverse workforce of dedicated individuals focused on promoting the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought and collaboration, enabling each employee to perform at their maximum potential and to more effectively work with clients, patients, and employees. We offer:

• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Paid Time Off to support work-life balance
• IMRF Pension and 457 retirement plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

You can find more details on our benefits on our website at
01


List the types of clinical programs you have experience with.
02


How many years of relevant experience do you possess?

• 1-2 years
• 2-5years
• 5-7 years
• 7-10 years
• 10+ years

03


HD - Do you have experience with behavioral health treatment planning and mental health assessments.

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have experience with any (EMR) Electronic Medical Records systems; such as NextGen? If yes, explain. If not, lists the systems you have used.
05


Do you have a current and valid driver's license and automobile insurance?

• Yes
• No

06


This position requires regular driving of clients to various points throughout Lake County using a Lake County vehicle. Driving times can exceed one hour or more, several times per day. Would you be able to handle this amount of regular driving?

• Yes
• No

07


Please share why you are interested in working for this program and how your experience directly relates to this opening.
Required Question