CCBHC Certified Recovery Support Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services • Merrionette Park, IL

3d • $43,000 - $48,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services is hiring a Certified Recovery Support Specialist for its Merrionette Park Office. The role supports people receiving services through a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), drawing on the specialist’s own recovery experience to build trusting relationships, support client-directed care, and connect clients with services and community resources. The specialist collaborates with clinical and multidisciplinary teams, clients’ families and chosen supports, and community organizations. The position also includes crisis support, outreach, documentation, group co-facilitation, and community education. Driving for work is required; transporting clients in a personally owned vehicle is preferred. No travel between sites is required.

The average starting salary is $43,000–$48,000 annually. A $2,500 sign-on bonus is available to first-time MFS employees, paid as $1,250 on the first paycheck and $1,250 after six months of employment. Final salary depends on experience, licensure level, and relevant credentials.

Requirements

• Personal recovery experience and successful navigation of the mental health and/or substance use systems for oneself and/or a family member.
• High school diploma, GED, or higher.
• Hold or be eligible to obtain the Illinois Certification Board Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential within 12 months of hire.
• Access to and comfort using public transportation, or a valid driver’s license, access to a fully insured motor vehicle, proof of insurance, and compliance with MFS driving record criteria.
• Pass a State of Illinois background check and all relevant screening and criminal background checks.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Positive attitude and self-motivation.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Good judgment in carrying out responsibilities and advocating for the best interests of consumers served.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including sustained sitting and standing; frequent talking, hearing, and use of hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls; occasional bending, stretching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching; and close visual acuity for tasks such as preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.
• Driving for work is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential or experience working with clients experiencing substance use.
• WRAP Facilitator qualification.
• Ability to transport clients in a personally owned vehicle is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting, mutual relationships with clients through appropriate self-disclosure of the specialist’s recovery journey.
• Help clients access services within the CCBHC and externally.
• Help clients develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and identify personal strengths to guide treatment.
• Provide clients and family members with information about mental illness, recovery, wellness, treatment options, and resources.
• Bridge communication between clients and the clinical team, ensuring client choices guide the care process.
• Partner with community-based organizations to explain CCBHC services and facilitate warm hand-offs into care.
• Use de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed support during mental health crises.
• Maintain accurate, HIPAA-compliant records of peer interactions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• With appropriate consent, assist clients and people they identify as supports in understanding mental health issues and symptoms and working toward the best possible outcomes.
• Collaborate with the team to provide mental health, substance use, physical health, case management, and other social determinants of health support; co-facilitate groups as requested and provide medication monitoring and/or training to clients.
• Lead community support interventions that promote illness self-management, skill building, natural supports, and use of community resources.
• Review client assessment, screening, and symptom checklist results, and support clients in completing symptom checklists when needed.
• Work open access as assigned.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with clients who are not engaged in care or who regularly miss appointments.
• Participate in team meetings and huddles.
• Help the team identify clients’ strengths and needs.
• Support clients transitioning to another level of care.
• Maintain knowledge of community resources and help maximize services available through MFS and the community.
• Prioritize activities with the supervisor to optimize client service delivery and meet performance expectations.
• Recognize when assistance is needed to maintain the specialist’s own wellness plan.
• Expand knowledge and skills and apply learned techniques.
• Provide consultation to agency staff and the community as needed, including training, seminars, and special projects.
• Participate in agency-wide or community committees and work groups when approved by the supervisor and agency leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Employer HSA contributions of $2,000 for individual coverage and $4,000 for family coverage, prorated to the benefits start date.
• Free Teladoc general medicine and behavioral health services for all team members.
• Ascensus 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match, 100% vested on the first day of eligibility.
• $2,500 sign-on bonus for first-time MFS employees, with $1,250 paid on the first paycheck and $1,250 after six months of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED