Mental Health Specialist

We partner with young people to build a foundation that promotes safety, opportunities, and well-being in their lives.

Project Oz is looking for a full-time Mental Health Specialist to provide suicide prevention education and mental health education for junior high school students, high school students, and other community members. This mental health focused specialist shares lived experience with mental health and mental illness in order to reduce stigma, as well as communicates with school staff, connects students with resources, and assists in the development of new programming.

Our staff love working with young people and appreciate the following benefits:

• Flexible work schedule, with possibility of some remote hours
• Health insurance 
• No cost dental & vision insurance 
• Generous vacation and sick time and 13 paid holidays
• Cell phone reimbursement or agency issued cell phone
• Generous retirement plan
• Professional development and advancement opportunities
  
• Mileage reimbursement or use of agency vehicles
• Employee Assistance Program
• Eligible for federal student loan debt forgiveness program
• Flexible spending plan

Duties and Responsibilities

Role Specific:

• Deliver suicide prevention education and mental health education to students in junior high schools and high schools.
• Deliver suicide prevention education and mental health education to other populations, such as families, school staff, community groups, and other professionals.
• Share lived experience with mental health and mental illness in order to reduce stigma and encourage hope.
• Provide assistance for students, including emotional support, resources, and information.
• Respond to students who share mental health concerns or experience mental health crises during class.
• Communicate with school staff to coordinate presentations, share information about students, and connect students with school resources.
• Assist in the research and design of new program materials and delivery systems.
• Refer students to relevant school and community resources.
• Assist with program evaluation and reporting by completing tasks such as student feedback review.
• Coordinate presentation materials.
• Attend school or community activities as necessary.

PED/Oz Specific:

• Complete all required forms and progress notes and submit agency reports, forms, and logs by agreed upon dates.
• Participate in community outreach, panels, and other committee meetings.
• Act as a representative of Project Oz and as a community resource person.
• Attend all required staff meetings and weekly program meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor, Program Manager, or executive team.
• Act as a Mandated Reporter as outlined by DCFS rules and regulations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, psychology, social work, behavioral sciences, community health, or a related field.
• Reliable personal transportation, valid Illinois driver’s license, and satisfactory driving history, along with documentation verifying current automobile insurance.
• Lived experience with mental illness, either as someone who has personally experienced a mental health challenge, or as someone who has supported a loved one who has experienced a mental health challenge.
• A strong positive viewpoint towards mental health and a strong working knowledge of mental health, mental illness, stigma, recovery, and related topics.
• Comfortable discussing sensitive ­­topics involved in mental health education, such as suicide, self-harm, and trauma.

Preferred:

• Experience sharing information with groups of people (teaching, training, public speaking, group facilitation, etc.).

• Ability to use self-disclosure effectively and share personal experiences in ways that are relevant and appropriate for youth.

• Knowledge of and/or experience with the mental healthcare system, treatment, and/or crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and/or experience working with youth who have been exposed to trauma.
• Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Related professional experience working in a human services program.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft® Teams software and/or Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Additional Details

• Background checks – Must pass required criminal and character background checks. Must possess valid Illinois driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving history along with documentation verifying current automobile insurance.
• Mandated Reporter - Act as a Mandated Reporter as outlined by DCFS rules and regulations.
• Travel – Job may require travel via commercial transportation and/or driving motor vehicles. Must occasionally drive in heavy traffic and/or inclement weather conditions.
• Hours – Job may require infrequent irregular work hours and travel outside of normal business hours.

 Competencies

• Adaptability – Alter approach as the situation demands. Work effectively within a variety of situations and with various individuals and groups.
• Integrity – Act ethically and honestly in all employment activities and build professional relationships by promoting mutual trust.
• Communication – Express ideas and facts effectively, contribute to open exchange of ideas, and exhibit an understanding of audience needs.
• Relationship Building – Build and maintain relationships (internally and with key external groups) that support and improve personal/team effectiveness.
• Teamwork – Work toward common goals by demonstrating sensitivity to others' needs and supporting, encouraging, and sharing information with colleagues.
• Resourcefulness – Identify critical information, effectively use available resources, and seek ways to improve agency processes.

• Dependability - Reliable, responsible, and helpful on the job while fulfilling obligations in a timely manner.
• Self-Control - Maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Technical/Functional Expertise – Demonstrate proficiency in technical aspects of role and use technical and functional knowledge to improve processes. Keep current in own field of expertise.
• Problem Sensitivity - Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

• Trauma Sensitivity - Ability to communicate with clients and others with sensitivity understanding that someone may have been exposed to trauma.

Skills

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Strategic Thinking – Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.