Engagement Specialist - Mobile Response Team (FT/PT)

Summary

Salary: $22.83 Hourly
Location : Waukegan, IL
Job Type: Multiple Shifts
Job Number: MRT II - (FT/PT)
Department: Health Department
Division: Behavioral Health
OpeningDate: 06/24/2025
Salary Grade: Hourly.4
Pay Grade: 4

General Description
Do you want to be part of something that actually makes a difference?
You will be part of the Mobile Response Team as the Engagement Specialist that is dispatched as a 2-person team to Lake County residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises wherever they are, and whenever they need it. Our collaborative interventions can help resolve crises before they become life-threatening.
The Engagement Specialist position is a peer support position. The selected candidate should be a past or present consumer of mental health or substance use services and trained to use their lived experience to support others experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

Watch the brief video below and start your new career!

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or
• Bachelor's in any field and two (2) years' experience, or
• High School diploma or GED and five (5) years' experience
• Capable of attaining the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification within 12 months of being hired.
  • (LCHD has funding to assist in paying for this (CRSS) certification when requirements are met)
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Requires use of personal vehicle when a LCHD fleet vehicle is not available for outreach activities or to respond to crisis calls in the field.

Scheduled Hours: Part-time from 16 to 20 hours.

• Shifts while available: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
• Occasional weekend & holiday
• $5.00 differential for working hours deemed eligible for shift and weekend premium

Supplemental Information
As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Here at the Health Department, we are proud to employ a diverse workforce of dedicated individuals focused on promoting the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought and collaboration, enabling each employee to perform at their maximum potential and to more effectively work with clients, patients, and employees. We offer:

• Paid Time Off to support work-life balance
• IMRF Pension and 457 retirement plans

You can find more details on our benefits on our website at
01

Are you a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of relevant experience do you possess?

• 1-2 years
• 2-5years
• 5-7 years
• 7-10 years
• 10+ years

03

Part of the role of an Engagement Specialist is to model recovery by sharing some of your own experiences. Would you be comfortable doing so?

• Yes
• No

04

What are some ways (nothing confidential) that you might use your personal lived experience with clients you will be working with?
05

Do you have any experience working with people who have been diagnosed with a mental health/substance abuse condition? Explain:
06

If you were in a situation where you were called to help de-escalate a mental health crisis with a client, how would you respond? Explain:
07

Do you have a current and valid driver's license and automobile insurance?

• Yes
• No

08

Please share why you are interested in working for this program and how your experience directly relates to this opening.
Required Question

Job Description

Salary: $22.83 Hourly
Location : Waukegan, IL
Job Type: Multiple Shifts
Job Number: MRT II - (FT/PT)
Department: Health Department
Division: Behavioral Health
OpeningDate: 06/24/2025
Salary Grade: Hourly.4
Pay Grade: 4

General Description
Do you want to be part of something that actually makes a difference?
You will be part of the Mobile Response Team as the Engagement Specialist that is dispatched as a 2-person team to Lake County residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises wherever they are, and whenever they need it. Our collaborative interventions can help resolve crises before they become life-threatening.
The Engagement Specialist position is a peer support position. The selected candidate should be a past or present consumer of mental health or substance use services and trained to use their lived experience to support others experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

Watch the brief video below and start your new career!

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or
• Bachelor's in any field and two (2) years' experience, or
• High School diploma or GED and five (5) years' experience
• Capable of attaining the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification within 12 months of being hired.
  • (LCHD has funding to assist in paying for this (CRSS) certification when requirements are met)
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Requires use of personal vehicle when a LCHD fleet vehicle is not available for outreach activities or to respond to crisis calls in the field.

Scheduled Hours: Part-time from 16 to 20 hours.

• Shifts while available: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
• Occasional weekend & holiday
• $5.00 differential for working hours deemed eligible for shift and weekend premium

Supplemental Information
As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Here at the Health Department, we are proud to employ a diverse workforce of dedicated individuals focused on promoting the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought and collaboration, enabling each employee to perform at their maximum potential and to more effectively work with clients, patients, and employees. We offer:

• Paid Time Off to support work-life balance
• IMRF Pension and 457 retirement plans

You can find more details on our benefits on our website at
01

Are you a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of relevant experience do you possess?

• 1-2 years
• 2-5years
• 5-7 years
• 7-10 years
• 10+ years

03

Part of the role of an Engagement Specialist is to model recovery by sharing some of your own experiences. Would you be comfortable doing so?

• Yes
• No

04

What are some ways (nothing confidential) that you might use your personal lived experience with clients you will be working with?
05

Do you have any experience working with people who have been diagnosed with a mental health/substance abuse condition? Explain:
06

If you were in a situation where you were called to help de-escalate a mental health crisis with a client, how would you respond? Explain:
07

Do you have a current and valid driver's license and automobile insurance?

• Yes
• No

08

Please share why you are interested in working for this program and how your experience directly relates to this opening.
Required Question