Police Social Worker/Mobile Crisis Responder presso Lake County, IL

About the Department

Are you looking for a challenging role within an organization that provides rewarding compensation, an excellent benefit package, and career growth
opportunities? If so, Lake County Government is the place for you. Comprised of nearly 3,000 employees, it is our goal to positively serve the residents of Lake County while working with a purpose. We believe our employees should take pride in the work they accomplish while truly respecting a collaborative work environment.

The Lake County Sheriff's Mobile Response Team for Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COaST) actively engages with the community, dispatching skilled professionals to respond to urgent crises as they arise. This dedicated team provides essential crisis intervention services to individuals in the community and their families, employing techniques such as de-escalation, stabilization, and connecting them to the appropriate levels of care to ensure their well-being. Composed of both a Sheriff's Deputy and a Mobile Crisis Responder, the mobile response team is equipped to assist community members grappling with mental health or substance abuse crises throughout the diverse landscapes of Lake County. In addition to their primary roles, team members may have the opportunity to supervise interns in the capacity of social workers, guiding the next generation of practitioners in this vital field. Through collaborative interventions, the team effectively addresses crises, often mitigating situations before they escalate into life-threatening scenarios or progress to detainable offenses, thereby fostering a safer community environment.

Position Duties

• Responsible for mobile crisis response coverage over the telephone and/or in person.
• Evaluates and assesses clients for level of care.
• Prepares and implements treatment plans with clients.
• Ability to work with LSW and LCSW internship candidates
• Creates stabilization plans with the client and links the client to the appropriate level of care.
• De-Escalation of persons in crisis 
• Maintain counseling records, prepare reports, and other recommendations based on data analysis to evaluate and enhance program effectiveness.  

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: 

• Experience with behavioral health treatment planning and mental health assessments.
• Experience with interventions for individuals affected by alcohol and drug addiction.
• Demonstrates cultural competency in providing services to low-income disadvantaged populations.
• Have a valid driver's license
• A basic working knowledge of Microsoft applications (i.e., Word/Excel)

• Master's degree in social work or the ability to obtain a Master's Degree in Social Work within 12 months of appointment.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation or the ability to obtain LSW designation from the State of Illinois within 12 months of appointment.  Minimum licensure must be maintained at all times.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) is preferred.
• Previous experience in crisis intervention and providing mental health services to individuals and families.

• Frequently required to walk, sit, and talk or hear for extended periods.
• Frequently required to travel throughout Lake County via automobile.
• Frequently exposed to inclement weather during interventions.

Other Qualifications

• The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking abilities. 
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.
• Must pass mandatory background checks, which include pre-employment drug screening and polygraph.

Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefits package. We also offer flexible working hours and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County! To learn more about the department you will be working for, visit Sheriff's Office. 

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

Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).