What are the responsibilities and job description for the MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN TRAINEE position at State of Illinois?
Closing Date: 08/26/2026
Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN TRAINEE - 27020
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Salary: $4,128 - $5,450 per month ($49,536 - $65,400 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Lake
Number of Vacancies: 60
Bargaining Unit Code: RC009 Institutional Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Position Overview
The Division of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to hire a Mental Health Technician Trainee at the Kiley Developmental Center located in Waukegan, Illinois. The incumbent will, for a period of time from six (6) and not to exceed twelve (12) months, receive instruction and training in providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Attends formal classes for instruction in routine nursing practices and techniques, behavior intervention skill development and to gain elementary understanding of the causes, nature and treatment of intellectual disabilities. Performs routine tasks in providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities, including conducting activities and programs, documenting data regarding the individual’s response to care and programs and escorting individuals to participate in the receipt of community services. Travels in performance of job duties.
Essential Functions
- For a period from six (6) and not to exceed twelve (12) months, receive instruction and training in providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Participates in providing active treatment and habilitation services for individuals.
- Escorts individuals and participates in training individuals in residential, social or vocational activities both at Kiley Developmental Center and in other designated locations.
- Performs light housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean, safe, comfortable, and sanitary living environment including spot mopping, cleaning spills, wiping tables, removing trash, securing supplies and equipment, and making beds and lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Requires the ability to physically restrain individuals as necessary to prevent injury to the individuals or others.
- Requires the ability to work after business hours, weekends, and holidays.
- Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
- Requires the ability to travel.
- Requires the ability to pass standard Physical Agility testing.
- Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
- Requires ability to pas a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.
- The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Work Hours: 24/7 Variable shifts.
Work Location: 1401 W Dugdale Rd, Waukegan, Illinois, 60085
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Kiley Developmental Center
Staff Development
Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Health Services; Social Services
Please note, trainee positions are filled on continuous basis. There may be extended wait times between application and job offer.
About the Agency:
The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.
As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:
- A Pension Program
- Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
- 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
- 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
- Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
- 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
- Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
- 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
- Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
- GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
- 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
- Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.
If you have taken the CMS automated multiple-choice test and have a current grade for this title, a copy of the grade notice can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section of the application.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Salary : $49,536 - $65,400