Community Support Specialist - Community Mental Health - Peer Program

Thresholds • Chicago, IL

8d • $48,048 - $55,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Community Support Specialists (CSS) provide mental health and substance use treatment support in a person's community. This role is ideal for individuals with lived experience in mental health recovery who want to be change agents in the field. The CSS will use their personal recovery experience to support others through care planning, case management, and by connecting clients with resources. They will also help clients strengthen daily living skills by assisting with transportation to appointments and errands. As the identified Peer on the team, the CSS will share their recovery story and model that recovery is possible. The role requires adaptability to client schedules, needs, and treatment plans.

Requirements

• Lived and living experience with personal mental health recovery
• Passion for mental health advocacy
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Good writing skills
• Strong time management and organization
• At least 21 years old
• A valid driver’s license, current car insurance, and daily access to a car
• Willingness to provide transportation to clients
• High school diploma OR GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience
• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience

Nice To Haves

• CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) credential or ability to obtain within a year
• Active CRSS credential
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field
• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health and substance use treatment support in the community.
• Engage in care planning as an integral part of a client's growth and recovery.
• Remove barriers to mental healthcare through case management.
• Connect clients with resources and help them navigate complex systems.
• Help clients strengthen daily living skills.
• Provide transportation to clients for doctors' appointments, benefits offices, or the grocery store.
• Share recovery story with clients in a mutual, two-way helping process.
• Collaborate with the team by advocating for clients and providing insight from lived experience.
• Adapt to client's schedule, needs, and treatment plan daily.

Benefits

• Competitive pay - Base Rate: $23.10 - $26.54 hourly / $48,048 - $55,200 annually
• Subject to increase based on education and experience
• Additional increase with current CRSS
• Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
• 4 medical insurance plans, dental insurance, & vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
• Public service loan forgiveness
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (CRSS, LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal

What This Job Offers

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