Community Engagement Specialist

Pillars Community Health•Berwyn, IL

1d•$20 - $24•Hybrid

About The Position

Pillars Community Health is expanding its Mobile Crisis Response team and hiring several new Community Engagement Specialists as the program continues to grow. This position works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This role functions as a mental health peer specialist, supporting crisis response through de-escalation techniques, assisting in the development of crisis safety plans, and coordinating immediate and post-crisis follow-up care. The specialist will help individuals living with mental illness identify and achieve specific life goals by utilizing unique insights gained through personal recovery experience, and will use their experience to facilitate and support the recovery of others and to help shape systems of care.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
Position requires one to be a current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorders services.
At least one (1) year of experience working in behavioral health, social services, human services or another related field.
Maintains a safe driving record.
Possesses a current valid Illinois Driver's License.
Reliable transportation is necessary for responding to crisis calls in a timely manner.

Nice To Haves

Crisis intervention experience preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills required for at least 2 positions.
Encouraged to work towards earning the CRSS credential.

Responsibilities

Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to support the team's response either in person or virtually (if appropriate), to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Provide on-site assessment within 60 minutes.
Triages and dispatches telephone calls that come through the crisis line to the appropriate staff or department as needed on a rotating schedule.
Assists in utilizing de-escalation techniques, in coordination with the MCR Clinician, with clients experiencing a mental health crisis.
Utilizes own lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services to establish rapport, share experiences and strengthen engagement with individuals who have experienced a mental health crisis.
Supports positive recovery behaviors with clients in Behavioral Health Crisis programs with a focus on identifying client strengths and needs, and linking individuals to additional resources and support systems to mitigate future crisis episodes.
May carry a small caseload for post-crisis follow-up activities that include skill building and case management to clients with high need.
Completes required crisis, de-escalation, and position trainings and certifications.
Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws.
Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of all communities and cultures.
Completes required documentation within established timeframes, through use of an Electronic Client Record.
Participates in specific program meetings, including required staff, line of service, and organizational meetings, and required trainings, and consultations.
Other duties as assigned.