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Statewide Director of School-Based Services (Illinois)

Brightli · Quincy, IL · $90,000–$112,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a school partnership you built or saved. What made it work?

What they are checking: Relationship skills with superintendents and principals, which school-based programs live or die on.

Tell me about a time you led a team through rapid growth.

What they are checking: Ability to scale programs while protecting staff morale and service quality.

How do you develop the managers and supervisors who report to you?

What they are checking: Leadership style and investment in growing the next layer of leaders.

What would you do

How would you decide which Illinois school districts to grow into next?

What they are checking: Strategic thinking that weighs community need, district partnership, funding and staffing realities together.

Rural schools struggle to recruit licensed clinicians. What would you do to staff them?

What they are checking: Creative, practical workforce planning like pipelines, supervision for new grads and travel support.

A district superintendent calls upset that a therapist missed several sessions. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Owning the problem with the partner while addressing performance fairly with the employee.

About the work

School-based services often rely on Medicaid, grants and district contracts. How do you keep programs financially sustainable?

What they are checking: Understanding of behavioral health funding streams and how to balance mission with program budgets.

How would you ensure clinical quality across therapists and support specialists spread over many districts?

What they are checking: Systems for supervision, chart audits and outcome tracking across a dispersed workforce.

Which regulations and documentation standards matter most for school-based behavioral health in Illinois?

What they are checking: Knowledge of compliance obligations like Medicaid documentation, consent and records rules that a director must enforce.

What outcomes would you report to funders and districts to show the program is working?

What they are checking: Whether they think in measurable results such as attendance, behavior or symptom change, not just service counts.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Brightli from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Brightli.

Job Description: Statewide Director, School-Based Services (Illinois) Department: School-Based Services - Illinois Employment Type: Full-Time Schedule: Monday-Friday Lead School-Based Mental Health Services That Change Lives Are you a visionary behavioral health leader passionate about expanding access to mental health services for children and families? Join our mission-driven team as the Director of School-Based Services and play a key role in shaping the future of school-based behavioral healthcare across Illinois. In this leadership position, you will provide strategic oversight for school-based programs, ensuring high-quality clinical services, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth. You'll collaborate with school districts, community partners, funding sources, and internal stakeholders to strengthen behavioral health services and improve outcomes for youth and families. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader who thrives on building teams, developing partnerships, and creating lasting community impact! Why Join Us? Compensation • Salary Range: $90,000 -$112,000 annually Outstanding Benefits • 29 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) • Eligible positions may qualify for HRSA Loan Repayment Assistance • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance • Company-paid basic life insurance • 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 5% employer match • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare & Dependent Care) • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Wellness Program • Emergency Medical Leave Program • Employee Discount Program • Mileage reimbursement ( when applicable ) What You'll Do Strategic Leadership & Program Development • Provide leadership and oversight for all Illinois School-Based Services programs statewide. • Develop and implement strategic initiatives that support program growth, sustainability, and service excellence. • Identify opportunities to expand services and enhance access to behavioral healthcare in schools and communities. • Monitor program outcomes, productivity, quality standards, and key performance indicators. Clinical & Operational Oversight • Ensure services are delivered in accordance with licensing standards, ethical guidelines, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements. • Support quality assurance initiatives, chart reviews, utilization management, and compliance activities. • Analyze program data to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. • Oversee departmental orientation, training, and ongoing professional development initiatives. Team Leadership & Workforce Development • Recruit, hire, develop, and retain high-performing school-based staff. • Provide supervision, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for assigned team members. • Conduct regular evaluations and support employee growth and career advancement. • Assess workforce training needs and coordinate clinical, documentation, and professional development opportunities. School & Community Partnerships • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with school districts, administrators, community organizations, and stakeholders. • Serve as a behavioral health ambassador by educating schools and communities on the value and impact of school-based services. • Collaborate with school personnel and community partners to improve access to care and support student success. • Represent the organization through community presentations, meetings, and public engagement opportunities. Collaboration & Consultation • Consult with school personnel, families, and interdisciplinary teams regarding student behavioral health needs. • Collaborate with internal clinical and operational leaders to ensure coordinated care and service delivery. • Support grant development, contract management, and other organizational initiatives as needed. Education & Licensure Requirements • Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree, or equivalent advanced clinical degree in a behavioral health-related field. • Current Illinois licensure required:PsychologistLSWLPCLCPCLCSW • Minimum of post-licensure clinical experience and leadership experience in behavioral healthcare, education, or related settings preferred. Desired Qualifications • Experience leading behavioral health, school-based, or community mental health programs. • Strong understanding of child and adolescent behavioral health services. • Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and family-centered treatment approaches. • Experience with program development, quality improvement, and strategic planning. • Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with school districts, community stakeholders, and organizational leaders. • Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills. • Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Leadership Expectations As a Director of School-Based Services, you will: • Communicate and champion the organization's mission, vision, and strategic priorities. • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. • Lead change initiatives and support innovation across programs. • Promote teamwork and encourage input from employees at all levels. • Effectively navigate challenging personnel situations while maintaining professionalism, fairness, and respect. • Inspire and empower teams to achieve outstanding results for the individuals and communities we serve. Why Candidates Will Love This Role Lead program growth. Build meaningful school partnerships. Develop future behavioral health professionals. Most importantly, help ensure children and families have access to the care they need to thrive. New to Quincy? In partnership with the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), we’re pleased to introduce the Quincy Concierge Program for newcomers and returnees to the Quincy and Adams County area. This program helps new residents connect with locals, discover community resources, enjoy community tours, and participate in quarterly events. To learn more, visit www.Quincyscalling.com . 

 Position Perks & Benefits: Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness 

 Brightli is on a Mission: A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients. As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.

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