Recovery Support Specialist - WRS

Lake County•Vernon Hills, IL

21d

About The Position

The Recovery Support Specialist is a member of the Women’s Residential Service (WRS) team, providing peer-based support to clients with co-occurring disorders. Drawing on personal experience, the specialist engages and motivates clients to access needed services and supports their goals for stability, self-sufficiency, independent living, self-advocacy, and supportive relationships. The role serves as a model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. The position is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week: Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The position travels within and outside Lake County for training and outreach. Applicants must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at the Lake County Health Department. The position is represented by AFSCME Council 31. An employment offer is conditioned on successful completion of background screening and drug and alcohol testing, and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED certificate.
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification.
One year of direct, personal experience with the mental health system as a primary consumer of services.
Valid driver’s license and insurance.
Must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department.

Responsibilities

Use personal experience to establish warm, empathetic connections with clients.
Assist potential clients with intake, referrals, and connections to Lake County Health Department and outside services.
Provide supportive peer counseling and case management.
Conduct community intervention, including crisis intervention and case finding, and provide in-reach and outreach to people who may need services but are not admitted to treatment.
Educate community institutions, state agencies, and social services staff about screening and referring at-risk individuals to treatment.
Help recovering individuals identify their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses related to recovery.
Accompany clients to medical and court appointments, DCFS meetings, 12-step meetings, and other recovery-supportive activities.
Assist clients in developing client-centered treatment and continuing-care plans, and in developing and leading recovery groups.
Assist families with intake, referrals, and connections to other agencies.
Provide support and advocacy for families receiving services.
Travel within and outside Lake County for training and outreach efforts.