Director of Behavioral Health

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The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford (UICOMR) seeks an experienced behavioral health professional to serve as Director of Behavioral Health at the Winnebago County Justice Center (WCJC). The Director of Behavioral Health is responsible for performing behavioral health assessments to determine detainees’ level of mental health functioning, evaluating the presence of mental health and/or substance use disorders, and providing individual and group counseling sessions. This position also has administrative and leadership responsibilities, including the supervision, coordination, and scheduling of the behavioral health team. Additional responsibilities include overseeing data collection for the county, and both monitoring and reporting of data. This is a full-time, primarily Monday through Friday position, with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed. This position works under the supervision of the Chief Psychiatrist.

WCJC, located in downtown Rockford, Illinois, is one of the largest jails in the state, with a capacity of approximately 1,324 beds in a 385,000-square-foot facility. It houses both county and federal detainees, providing 24-hour medical care to male and female detainees with various healthcare needs, including acute and chronic medical and behavioral health conditions. In addition, the facility offers specialized services such as dental, optometry, and physical therapy.

Rockford, the state’s largest metropolitan region outside of Chicago, sits at the top of Illinois, just 80 miles from the Chicago area. The region blends big-city opportunity with small-town affordability and an exceptional quality of life. Known as The Forest City for its tree-lined neighborhoods, Rockford offers scenic riverfront trails, world-class gardens, an award-winning park system, museums, live music, arts, and award-winning dining.

Recently ranked the hottest housing market in the U.S. by Realtor.com and The Wall Street Journal, Rockford offers a cost of living nearly 25% below the national average. Home to the legendary Rockford Peaches and iconic Cheap Trick, the city has a strong creative and community spirit, with festivals and events throughout the year.

With easy access to the Chicago area, the Chicago Rockford International Airport, and typical local commutes of 15 minutes or less, Rockford offers an appealing combination of affordability, accessibility, and quality of life.

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Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and written performance evaluations to the behavioral health team, manage day-to-day work assignments and schedules, mentor and support the onboarding of new hires.
• Perform behavioral health assessments of detainees, diagnose behavioral health and substance use disorders, and make referrals for treatment services within WCJC as well as post-discharge services.
• Develop comprehensive behavioral health treatment plans addressing detainees’ mental health, substance use disorder, and social service needs.
• Provide individual and group counseling sessions and education to detainees.
• Provide education and training to WCJC staff related to behavioral health needs of the detainee population.
• Provide social service recommendations to corrections and criminal justice professionals regarding detainee cases.
• Coordinate with the judicial system to optimize detainee care and outcomes.
• Enter data into electronic medical records for patient encounters, group visits, and assessments.
• Provide timely reports for monthly departmental meetings as well as those required by the WCJC.
• Attend administrative, leadership, team, and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Monitor the quality of care provided by the behavioral health team.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science
• Unrestricted State of IL licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker OR Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor OR Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, required by the start date.

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Compensation and Benefits:

The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $82,000 to $87,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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Application Instructions

To apply, visit https://go.uic.edu/RockfordJobs, include a cover letter, résumé, and list three professional references.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, December 4th, 2026, at 11:59 pm Central Time. The search committee will begin reviewing applications shortly after the fullest consideration date. Candidates selected to move forward in the search process will be contacted following the committee's initial review.

Fullest consideration date: Friday, November 20, 2026, at 11:59 pm Central Time. The search committee will review applications received before this date for early action.

Final date to apply: Friday, December 4th, 2026, at 11:59 pm Central Time

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The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please review our non-discrimination statement and additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.