Crisis Support Specialist

Thresholds • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Living Room offers an alternative to the emergency department for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. It is a community crisis center providing a welcoming, accepting, and calm environment where Crisis Support Specialists offer advocacy, information, and peer support. Specialists utilize their personal experience with mental health recovery to support and educate guests, engaging them in conversation to understand their strengths and encourage their recovery. This involves modeling coping strategies, assisting with crisis recovery plans, and connecting guests with supportive services. A key aspect of the role is creating a welcoming atmosphere by greeting guests and learning their names, empowering them to lead their recovery path. Responsibilities also include preparing food and maintaining the tidiness of the space. The role involves staying updated on mental health trends and enhancing services through training, with opportunities for CRSS certification supervision and fee reimbursement.

Requirements

• Lived experience of mental health recovery
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong writing skills
• Strong time management and organization skills
• At least 21 years old
• Ability to work assigned schedule: Monday-Friday 11:00pm-7:30am
• High school diploma or GED certificate required

Nice To Haves

• Higher education in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related field preferred
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) preferred

Responsibilities

• Use personal experience with mental health recovery to support and educate Living Room guests on managing crisis.
• Engage guests in conversation to hear their stories, learn about their interests and strengths, and encourage them in their recovery process.
• Model coping strategies.
• Help guests develop their own crisis recovery plans.
• Link guests with supportive services for after their crisis.
• Greet guests and learn their names to foster a welcoming environment.
• Prepare food for guests.
• Ensure the space is neat and tidy.
• Keep up to date on current trends in the mental health field.
• Deepen knowledge of evidence-based practices through training opportunities.
• Gain supervision for CRSS certification.
• Seek reimbursement for CRSS testing and application fees.

Benefits

• Competitive pay – Pay Range: $25.00 - $30.00/hour
• Generous PTO
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 3 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
• Public service loan forgiveness
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, CADC, CRSS)
• 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