Crisis Support Specialist, Living Room - Part Time

Thresholds • Chicago, IL

5d • $26 - $29 • Onsite

About The Position

The Living Room McHenry offers an alternative to the emergency department for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis on the South Side of Chicago. 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 on managing crises. This involves engaging guests in conversation to understand their stories, interests, and strengths, and encouraging their recovery process. Responsibilities include modeling coping strategies, assisting guests in developing crisis recovery plans, and connecting them with supportive services. A key aspect of the role is creating a welcoming environment by greeting guests and learning their names, empowering them to lead their recovery path. Specialists are also responsible for preparing food for guests and maintaining the tidiness of the space. The role includes opportunities for ongoing training to stay updated on mental health trends and evidence-based practices, as well as supervision for CRSS certification and reimbursement for associated fees.

Requirements

• Effective communication and relationship-building skills.
• Good writing skills.
• Strong time management and organization skills.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• High school diploma or GED certificate required.

Nice To Haves

• Lived experience of mental health recovery preferred but not required.
• 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 guests on managing crisis.
• Engage guests in conversation to hear their stories, learn about their interests and strengths, and encourage 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 create a welcoming environment.
• Invite guests to take the lead in determining their recovery path.
• 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 - Base Rate: $25.50- $29.13 per hour (Based on education, experience, and licensure)
• Generous PTO
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Public service loan forgiveness

What This Job Offers

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