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 Victim Services Division of the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative is an extension of the services offered to victims of crime in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. This position provides trauma-informed psychotherapeutic services to victims of gun violence. This can include crisis intervention, brief treatment, and long-term counseling---as agreed upon by therapist and client. Co-leading group therapy programs and/or psychoeducational groups may also be required. Victims receiving services will have experienced gun violence either as the direct victim, a witness, or a family member impacted by the shooting of a family member. The individual working in this role will have to navigate working parallel to the victim witness coordinators and assistant state’s attorneys while understanding the role of the therapist is separate and distinct from the prosecution team. S/he must be comfortable working with clients from diverse backgrounds and be able to engage in ways which reflect cultural competence and cultural humility. The therapist working in this role will have to understand the exceptions to client confidentiality that result from being an agent of the Lake County State’ Attorney’s Office. The ideal candidate will have basic knowledge of Lake County’s criminal justice system. Must be bilingual; bicultural preferred.Essential Functions

• Work with victim coordinators and assistant state’s attorneys to determine potential clients meet criteria for counseling program
• Provide direct services via crisis intervention, individual counseling, and possibly group therapy and/or psychoeducational groups.
• Be knowledgeable of resources in the area and refer to other therapists when necessary.
• Maintain client records.
• Maintain requirements for licensure, including continuing education and keeping license current.
• Continually seek knowledge regarding evidence-based, trauma informed best practices to ensure clinical services reflect most up to date practices.
• Focuses on client empowerment in providing treatment, seeking to assist clients to build strengths to meet their treatment needs.
• Have flexibility to engage in a variety of treatment modalities.
• Participate in community based mental health organizations to promote GVPI Victim Services program and build referral networks.
• Collaborate with other GVPI staff. Seek case consultation when necessary.
• Provide community education services as assigned and self-initiated.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Extensive knowledge of the techniques of effective interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention and case management.
• Extensive knowledge of trauma, its root causes, and its effects.
• Understanding of cycles of violence, trauma, secondary/vicarious trauma
• Extensive knowledge of community resources and social agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and court procedures.
•  Extensive understanding of social and economic problems such as alcoholism, unemployment, marital and family disruption and mental illness.
• Extensive knowledge of suicide assessment and emergency response.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to handle difficult situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially.
• Ability to interview effectively and evaluate information obtained.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and write correspondence.
•  Ability to communicate effectively with residents, co-workers, and the public both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate with people of various socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.
• Ability to work successfully with minors and adults under trying circumstances.
•  Ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers and community agencies.
•  Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to attend to details, and exercise sound judgment.
•  Ability to observe situations analytically and objectively and to record them clearly and completely.
• Ability to maintain confidential material.
•  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use a computer. Good knowledge of PC operations and software (word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet) as needed to perform duties is required.

Competency
To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies.
Clinical Competencies:

• Demonstrates competencies in assessment and provision of individual, family, and group therapy with an awareness of age-specific issues, cultural/religious orientation, and social factors.
• Understands and is sensitive to the dynamics associated with trauma and victimization.
• Understands the vulnerabilities of individuals involved in criminal justice system as victims of crime.
• Working knowledge of dynamics of trauma, PTSD, and violence at the individual and community level.
• Understands the criminal justice system’s potential influence on client’s emotional well- being and ability to respond accordingly.
• Completes accurate session notes including documentation for each contact or attempted contact with client.
  • Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
  • Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions.
  • Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings.
  • Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
  • Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively.
  • Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
  • Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.
  • Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
  • Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision- making process; makes timely decisions.
  • Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.
  • Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
  • Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.
  • Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.
  • Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
  • Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
  • Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments.
  • Initiative - Seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent action.

Education and/or Other Requirements

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Licensed by the State of Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required
• Bi-lingual Spanish

Psychological Factors
The psychological demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to effectively and professionally handle and respond to verbally abusive individuals or disparaging conduct.
• Ability to maintain pleasant working relationships.
• Ability to operate under continuous pressure.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit 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!

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background
screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medic exam.Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (EOE).