Peer Support Specialist- Crisis Response Program

RINCON FAMILY SERVICES•Chicago, IL

1d•$41,000 - $45,000

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is an integral member of the Crisis Response Program’s multidisciplinary team, providing peer-based support, crisis intervention, engagement, advocacy, and community-based services to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use-related crises. The PSS draws on personal recovery experience to offer hope, education, encouragement, and support, and helps individuals identify their strengths, needs, goals, and available resources. Services may be delivered in individuals’ homes, hospitals, shelters, healthcare facilities, community locations, and other settings. The PSS works alongside clinicians, case managers, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and community partners to promote safety, stabilization, recovery, and connection to ongoing services. The position participates in team-based mobile crisis response with a crisis clinician, follows applicable dispatch, response-time, and safety protocols, and supports engagement, de-escalation, person-directed safety planning, resource connections, warm handoffs, and post-crisis follow-up. Clinical screening and assessment, diagnostic and disposition decisions, involuntary interventions, and clinical treatment remain outside the PSS’s independent authority. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Employees work assigned shifts that may include days, evenings, overnight hours, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments; individual employees are not continuously on call. The role requires community travel and the ability to respond to crisis calls and provide face-to-face services when needed. This is a full-time, salaried, non-exempt position in the Chicagoland area, reporting to the Crisis Response Program Supervisor.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification.
If hired through the CRSS/CPRS credential pathway, maintain the credential throughout employment; otherwise, continue to meet applicable peer qualification criteria.
Strong listening, communication, interpersonal, and engagement skills.
Understanding of the peer support role and appropriate use of lived experience.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing authentic, compassionate peer support.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective in stressful or crisis situations.
Knowledge of community behavioral health, substance use, medical, housing, social service, and recovery resources.
Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate, timely documentation.
Ability to adapt to changing situations and respond appropriately to urgent needs.
Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented services.
Willingness and ability to work with individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use-related crises.
Must pass required pre-employment background checks, including DHS Background Check Unit clearance.
Valid driver’s license and access to a properly licensed and insured automobile, or ability to independently arrange reliable transportation as required.
Ability and willingness to work in community settings, including hospitals, shelters, homes, and other locations.
Availability to work a 24/7 schedule, including days, evenings, overnight hours, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments as required.
Ability to respond to crisis situations within the timeframe established by the program.
Ability to travel throughout the community and provide face-to-face services when required.
Reliable communication and availability during assigned on-call periods.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish.
Bicultural experience.

Responsibilities

Provide timely, person-centered peer support to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises.
Assist with crisis de-escalation through active listening, engagement, validation, reassurance, and recovery-oriented interventions.
Establish trusting relationships with individuals and families and use lived experience appropriately to offer hope and support.
Collaborate with clinicians, case managers, emergency responders, hospitals, healthcare providers, and other crisis response team members.
Help individuals access behavioral health, substance use, medical, housing, transportation, employment, benefits, and other community resources.
Support transitions from crisis services to ongoing treatment, peer support, case management, and other community services, including warm handoffs and documented post-crisis follow-up.
Recognize changes in an individual’s presentation or risk and promptly communicate safety concerns to the crisis clinician, designated QMHP, or appropriate supervisory staff.
Follow crisis program protocols for safety, emergency response, documentation, and escalation; do not independently conduct clinical assessments or make diagnostic, disposition, level-of-care, or involuntary-intervention decisions.
Provide recovery-oriented peer support based on the individual’s needs, strengths, preferences, and goals; encourage voluntary, non-coercive participation in treatment and supportive services whenever possible.
Help individuals understand and navigate behavioral health and substance use systems, identify recovery resources, self-advocate, and develop strategies for managing stress and recovery challenges.
Participate in community outreach and engagement and build relationships with community organizations, hospitals, healthcare providers, shelters, first responders, and other partners.
Advocate for individuals within behavioral health, healthcare, social service, and other systems, while respecting privacy, consent, and cultural needs.
Coordinate services with internal and external providers and communicate relevant information to team members while maintaining confidentiality.
Document services and contacts in the client record within 48 hours, or any shorter timeframe required by the program, funder, or regulatory authority.
Maintain accurate and complete documentation, participate in quality assurance and improvement activities, and comply with agency, funder, licensing, accreditation, regulatory, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2 requirements.
Complete required training, maintain required peer certification, and participate in ongoing professional development.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health insurance.
Dental and vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
403(b) retirement plan.
Generous paid time off, accruing up to 21 days in Year 1, with some carryover allowed.
Employee Assistance Program.
Professional development opportunities.
Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits.