Job Description

Program Services Specialist - Institute for Juvenile Research, College of Medicine

Hiring Department Psychiatry

Location Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID 1042300

FTE 1

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, Flex Days

Shift Flex Days

# of Positions 1

Workplace Type Hybrid

Posting Close Date September 2, 2026

Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $26.66 - 35.89 / Hourly Wage

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

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.

Employee will provide manual-guided counseling to participants for Grant related study. Employee may come from a variety of different backgrounds, experience, or training, and may have experience as a Peer Recovery Specialist, Community Health Worker, Care Coordinator, Nurse, Social Worker, or other allied health professional. They are not expected or need to have prior formal training or experience in counseling. Employee will use active learning approaches to engage participants in learning about opioid use disorder, MOUD with buprenorphine and the role MOUD in treatment and recovery. Employee will also engage participants in behavioral change, making use of tools from the employee toolkit to help participants develop short-term, achievable, critical goals and objectives (including, for example, returning for treatment appointments and adhering to prescribed MOUD).

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide manual-guided individual counseling (Recovery Guiding) to participants assigned to BT-MOUD.20.
• Adhere closely to the Recovery Guiding manual in the provision of Recovery Guiding.
• Participate in and successfully complete initial training and certification, including workshops and provision of Recovery Guiding under close supervision.
• Use active learning approaches to engage participants in learning about opioid use disorder, MOUD with buprenorphine, the role of MOUD in treatment and recovery, and the role of behavioral change in recovery.
• Engage participants in developing and implementing behavioral change plans, making use of tools from the Recovery
• Guiding toolkit to help participants develop short-term, achievable, critical goals and objectives (including, for example, returning for treatment appointments and adhering to prescribed MOUD) and to develop with the participant specific
• Recovery Plan Agreements to achieve the objectives.
• Monitor with the participant the participant’s progress implementing the plans and achieving the objectives and work with the participant to revise the plans as needed to increase success in accomplishing the objectives.
• Understand and adhere to confidentiality and privacy protections for participants and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Partner with research team on maintaining all protocols.
• Participate in all required continuing Recovery Guiding training and initial and ongoing supervision, as well as outreach activities as needed.
• Document all Recovery Guiding sessions and all other required documentation.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1. Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:
   1. Coursework in social work or behavioral sciences, or closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. Progressively more responsible work experience in social service/ counseling at a paraprofessional level under qualified supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and ability to work with opioid use disorder (OUD).

To Apply: For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the online
application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date.
Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of 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 visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

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.