Behavioral Health Outreach Technician (Integrated Community Health)

Chestnut Health Systems•Granite City, IL

15h

About The Position

Chestnut Health Systems is seeking a Behavioral Health Outreach Technician to provide community-based outreach and support to people experiencing behavioral health, physical health, and substance use needs. The position works primarily on assigned Madison County Transit (MCT) or MetroLink trains and at transit locations in Illinois or Missouri, in partnership with transit ambassadors, security personnel, and law enforcement. The technician engages individuals, identifies needs, provides crisis support, and connects them with appropriate services. The role involves working in public settings and responding calmly to changing or potentially volatile situations, usually alongside a partner. A flexible schedule is required and may include evening, overnight, and weekend hours. The anticipated start date is December 1, 2026. Chestnut Health Systems provides integrated behavioral health, substance use, and primary care services in Illinois and Missouri, and also conducts research and training. The technician uses recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approaches to build rapport, assess needs, offer crisis intervention, help people address immediate challenges, and support connection to and follow-through with services. The role also includes coordination with Chestnut departments and community providers, documentation and data collection, participation in supervision and training, and development or maintenance of applicable professional credentials. The anticipated starting pay for new hires is $17.00–$18.00 per hour. Base pay may depend on job-related qualifications, skills, education, experience, local market conditions, and internal equity.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Demonstrated human-services skills and experience working with adults.
Ability to work within an organizational structure, accept supervision, and collaborate constructively with clients, treatment providers, and community partners.
Valid driver’s license, private automobile insurance, and ability to meet Chestnut’s insurability requirements.
Basic computer skills and experience using email, videoconferencing, iPads, and electronic medical records (EMR).
Ability to remain calm, even-tempered, and professional when interacting with individuals who may have untreated physical health, mental health, or substance use concerns.
Ability to work alongside a partner for most working hours and respond appropriately to potentially volatile situations.
Ability to board and exit public transportation, move throughout trains and transit platforms, and work in varying weather conditions.
Ability to remain mobile throughout the workday, communicate calmly, make quick decisions, and respond physically and promptly to changing circumstances.
Willingness to work evenings, overnight hours, and weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in peer recovery, mental health, substance use services, or other social services is preferred.
Recovery experience is welcomed.
Applicable credentials such as CRSS, CPRS, or CADC in Illinois, or CPS or CRPR in Missouri.

Responsibilities

Conduct outreach on assigned MCT or MetroLink trains and at transit locations, collaborating with transit ambassadors, Bi-State Security, police departments, and sheriff’s deputies to identify people who may need support.
Engage individuals using recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care approaches that emphasize hope, respect, empowerment, health, wellness, and connection.
Build rapport and learn about each individual’s strengths, needs, preferences, cultural background, concerns, and barriers to care.
Provide crisis intervention, including crisis assessments and counseling, when needed.
Help individuals address immediate challenges and develop practical skills using approaches such as the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET).
Identify appropriate private spaces, such as an available vehicle or assigned area, for meetings when needed.
Transport individuals and connect them with community resources and mental health, substance use treatment, and primary care services.
Coordinate service openings with Chestnut’s Central Access Department and other agencies or community providers.
Advocate for individuals, arrange follow-up appointments, and support attendance at scheduled services.
Complete program openings, screenings, assessments, wellness plans, progress notes, and other required documentation and data entry.
Submit progress notes and other required documentation within 48 hours of service delivery.
Complete funder data collection and incentive tracking daily and submit information according to supervisor expectations.
Promote positive working relationships with Chestnut employees, transit customers, ambassadors, security personnel, law enforcement, and community partners.
Attend staff meetings, individual and group supervision, trainings, and program development activities.
Complete assigned training, including Relias courses when available, and continue developing knowledge of evidence-based practices.
Work toward or maintain applicable professional credentials, such as CRSS, CPRS, or CADC in Illinois, or CPS or CRPR in Missouri.
Follow Chestnut’s customer service standards and maintain confidentiality of organizational and client information.