Senior Peer Crisis Support Specialist - Living Room

Trilogy Careers • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Peer Crisis Support Specialist is an experienced peer support professional who provides direct, recovery-oriented services to individuals participating in Trilogy’s Living Room program. Drawing upon personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery, this role fosters hope, promotes wellness, and supports guests in navigating crisis through meaningful peer relationships and recovery-focused engagement. In addition to providing direct peer support, the Senior Peer Crisis Support Specialist serves as a resource and mentor to Peer Crisis Support Specialists, helping to strengthen peer practice, facilitate recovery programming, and promote fidelity to the Living Room's recovery-oriented model. This position plays a key role in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and peer-led environment that supports recovery, community connection, and positive guest outcomes. They will provide client-centered, strength-based, integrated, and trauma-informed services to individuals with mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges utilizing a harm reduction approach.

Requirements

• Active Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification required upon hire.
• Lived experience with mental health recovery and/or substance use recovery, with demonstrated ability to utilize lived experience professionally in a peer support setting.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented care, trauma-informed practices, harm reduction principles, and peer support services.
• Understanding of behavioral health systems, community resources, and recovery support services.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and engagement skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with individuals experiencing emotional distress or behavioral health challenges.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation.
• Proficiency with electronic health record systems and basic computer applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on program needs.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in a human services field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of peer support, behavioral health, crisis services, or recovery support experience preferred.
• Experience mentoring, training, or supporting peer staff preferred.
• Experience facilitating recovery groups, wellness activities, or peer-led programming preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct peer support to guests experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or substance use concerns through recovery-oriented and person-centered engagement.
• Utilize lived experience appropriately to foster trust, inspire hope, reduce stigma, and support guests in their recovery journeys.
• Support guests in identifying strengths, goals, coping strategies, and wellness practices that promote stability and recovery.
• Assist guests in developing wellness plans, safety plans, recovery plans, and other individualized supports.
• Support guests through complex situations using advanced peer support, communication, and de-escalation skills.
• Facilitate and lead recovery groups, wellness activities, educational programming, and community-building opportunities within the Living Room.
• Develop and implement engaging peer-led activities that encourage connection, self-determination, and recovery.
• Monitor group participation and promote a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment during all activities.
• Serve as a mentor and resource to Peer Crisis Support Specialists by modeling effective peer support practices and providing guidance on guest engagement.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and skill development of new peer staff.
• Promote fidelity to recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered service delivery practices.
• Support guests in accessing behavioral health services, recovery supports, housing resources, benefits, and other community-based services.
• Facilitate warm handoffs, referrals, and care transitions to support continuity of care and ongoing recovery engagement.
• Conduct follow-up outreach and engagement activities to support guest connection to services and recovery resources.
• Maintain knowledge of community resources, referral networks, and recovery support services.
• Assist with guest intake, assessment, orientation, environmental readiness, and operational activities that support daily Living Room operations.
• Contribute to a welcoming, safe, organized, and recovery-focused environment for guests and staff.
• Coordinate transportation and logistical supports that reduce barriers to service access when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in accordance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and funding requirements.
• Utilize electronic health record systems and other documentation platforms effectively.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, quality improvement initiatives, training activities, and program development efforts.
• Maintain active CRSS certification and complete all required continuing education and professional development activities.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams, crisis providers, healthcare organizations, referral sources, and community partners.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures, HIPAA requirements, accreditation standards, grant requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Represent Trilogy professionally in all interactions with guests, families, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations and organizational objectives.

Benefits

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees
• PAID Maternity/Paternity leave
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit)
• Telemedicine
• EAP
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

What This Job Offers

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