CRSS - Intern

RINCON FAMILY SERVICES • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Intern gains supervised, hands-on experience providing recovery-oriented, person-centered peer support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges. Drawing appropriately on lived experience of recovery, the intern promotes hope, self-determination, wellness, and community connection while learning the role, ethics, and boundaries of peer recovery support. Assignments are matched to the internship site, the intern’s learning goals, supervisor guidance, and the permitted scope of practice. Interns do not provide independent clinical assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, or treatment decisions. The position reports to the Internship Coordinator.

Interns may be placed in behavioral health, substance use, recovery support, or community-based settings depending on program needs and approved placement opportunities. Work may include direct participant interaction, group activities, outreach, documentation, and meetings. Duties are performed with appropriate oversight and within the intern’s training and authorized scope. This is an in-person internship in the Chicagoland Area. Multiple shifts are available; schedules are coordinated with the placement site and may vary based on program needs and intern availability.

Rincon Family Services is a Chicago-based provider of counseling and crisis intervention, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, and community and family services. Its stated values include dedication, education, accountability, advocacy, compassion, mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity.

Requirements

• Enrollment in a CRSS preparation program and readiness to begin the supervised internship component.
• Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery and willingness to use that experience appropriately in a peer support role.
• Commitment to recovery principles, self-determination, cultural responsiveness, and nonjudgmental support.
• Strong interpersonal communication, reliability, and ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and teams.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and accurate records.
• Completion of the required CRSS classroom training prior to internship placement, as verified by the training program.
• Ability to meet the supervised internship, documentation, and competency requirements of the intern’s CRSS training program.
• Ability to follow site-specific onboarding, screening, training, and safety requirements.
• Basic ability to use electronic documentation systems and communicate professionally; training will be provided as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Build supportive, respectful relationships with participants through active listening, empathy, and mutuality.
• Share personal recovery experience purposefully and appropriately to encourage hope, choice, and self-advocacy.
• Assist participants in identifying strengths, recovery goals, wellness strategies, and natural supports under supervision.
• Help participants explore community resources, recovery support, educational and employment opportunities, and other services relevant to their goals.
• Support participants with planning and practicing self-advocacy, appointments, and connections to services as appropriate.
• Assist with peer-led groups, wellness activities, outreach, or recovery education when assigned and supervised.
• Collaborate with peer specialists, counselors, case managers, and other team members while respecting the distinct peer support role.
• Complete required service documentation, internship records, and other records accurately and on time, consistent with site procedures.
• Protect confidentiality, seek guidance when safety concerns arise, and follow agency policies, professional boundaries, and applicable mandated reporting requirements.
• Participate in orientation, weekly supervision, team meetings, reflective practice, and feedback.
• Develop competencies in recovery-oriented language, cultural humility, trauma-informed support, ethical decision-making, and person-centered engagement.
• Complete assigned learning activities and demonstrate progress toward CRSS internship competencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the supervised peer support internship role.

Benefits

• Weekly supervision and mentorship in a community-based behavioral health setting.
• Opportunities to apply peer support skills through meaningful, supervised practice.
• Exposure to multidisciplinary services, community resources, and professional development.
• Opportunities to strengthen skills relevant to future CRSS employment.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed