School Based Specialist

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The School Based Support Specialist delivers intensive outpatient case management to youth in a school setting, supporting their success in school, home, and community. This role provides direct, individualized interventions aligned with treatment plans, coordinates care with internal and external providers, and promotes recovery, resilience, and academic achievement. Services are primarily delivered on school premises during school hours, with additional support provided in homes and the community as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide behavioral health interventions aligned with individualized treatment goals in school-based settings.

• Support students’ development of coping strategies, social-emotional functioning, and daily life skills.

• Participate in care coordination with schools, community partners, families, and other service providers.

• Manage an assigned caseload, ensure documentation is timely, and services are effective and person-centered.

• Provide crisis intervention and follow-up, including outreach for missed appointments.

• Conduct home visits and outreach as needed to support youth and family engagement.

• Assist with quality assurance activities, data collection, and compliance with agency protocols and contractual requirements.

• Actively participate in staff development, supervision, and professional evaluation activities.

• Adapting to evolving student needs and supporting program goals with flexibility and collaboration.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of case management, rehabilitation methods, and treatment planning in mental health and/or substance use.

• Understanding of challenges faced by individuals with behavioral health conditions and knowledge of community-based support.

• Familiarity with ethical, legal, and procedural standards in behavioral health.

• Ability to build effective relationships with youth, families, schools, and providers.

• Effective communication skills, including written documentation and verbal de-escalation.

• Skilled in prioritizing tasks, managing time, and coordinating services across agencies.

• Proficiency with electronic health records and common office software.

• Initiative-taking with a commitment to high-quality, client-centered care.

• Ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations and maintain professional boundaries.

• Capacity to work independently while remaining accountable to supervision and agency standards.

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• Must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, behavioral health, or related human services field, OR

• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with two years of related behavioral health experience; OR

• Any four-year combination of higher education and two years of qualifying experience; OR

• Associate’s degree in applied science in behavioral health support; OR

• Four years of full-time qualifying experience in the field.

• Qualifying experience includes providing one-on-one or group services with a focus on recovery/resiliency; teaching coping skills; supporting school, community, or employment functioning; and implementing treatment plan objectives.

Illinois-Specific Requirements

• For positions based in or serving clients in Illinois, additional qualifications per IL Administrative Code apply.

• Team members must meet the definition of a Behavioral Health Professional which include:

  • A Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor (CADC)

  • Mental Health Professional (MHP), including one or more of the following:

    • Bachelor’s degree in a qualifying human services field (e.g., counseling, social work, psychology, education); OR

    • Bachelor’s degree in any field with two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting; OR

    • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) under the Illinois Nurse Practice Act; OR

    • Certificate in psychiatric rehabilitation with 2 years’ mental health experience and a high school diploma/GED; OR

    • Certified Recovery Support Specialist or Family Partnership Professional (IAODAPCA); OR

    • Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with one year of behavioral health experience; OR

    • High school diploma or GED with five years of supervised clinical experience in behavioral health and demonstrated relevant training.

Additional IL Requirements:

• Completion of all IDHS Division of Mental Health (DMH) training standards.

• Compliance with ASAM assessment requirements if delivering substance use services.

• Adherence to all documentation and utilization review procedures applicable in Illinois.

Supervisory Requirements:

• N/A

Employment Requirements:

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check.

• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.

• All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.

Physical Requirements:

ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shifts. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.