Community Support Specialist - Veterans Project

Thresholds•Chicago, IL

22h

About The Position

At Thresholds, Community Support Specialists-CSS (Vets) provide mental health and substance use treatment support in veterans’ communities. Through care planning, they contribute to clients’ growth and recovery and help remove barriers to mental healthcare through case management, connecting clients with resources and helping them navigate complex systems. They also help clients strengthen daily living skills and provide transportation to appointments, benefits offices, grocery stores, and other destinations. The work varies day to day and requires adapting to clients’ schedules, needs, and treatment plans. The role is supported by a collaborative culture, training and professional development, and clinical supervision, with opportunities to build skills in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices.

Requirements

Effective communication and relationship-building skills.
Good writing skills.
Strong time management and organization.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Valid driver’s license and current car insurance.
Daily access to a personal car.
Willingness to provide transportation to clients.
One of the following education and experience paths: high school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience; bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field; bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience; or master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Military service preferred.
Housing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in care planning to support veterans’ growth and recovery.
Provide case management, connect clients with resources, and help them navigate complex systems.
Help clients strengthen daily living skills.
Transport clients to doctors’ appointments, benefits offices, grocery stores, and other destinations.
Adapt services to clients’ schedules, needs, and treatment plans.

Benefits

Competitive pay of $23.10–$25.10 per hour ($48,048–$52,200 annually), commensurate with education, experience, and licensure.
$1,000 salary increase for LSW or LPC licensure.
$1,000 salary increase for CRSS.
Generous paid time off, including 9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, and 15–22 days of personal and vacation leave.
Four medical insurance plans, dental insurance, and vision insurance.
403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
Robust employee assistance program (EAP).
Mileage reimbursement.
Cell phone reimbursement up to $50 per month.
Public service loan forgiveness.
No-cost supervision for clinical licensure (CRSS, LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC).
Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal.
Training and professional development opportunities.