Certified Recovery Support Specialist

About the role

The Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) plays a vital role in supporting individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Utilizing their lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery, the CRSS provides peer-based support, facilitates individualized recovery planning, and models effective self-care and coping strategies. This role is community-focused, emphasizing outreach, resource navigation, and empowerment to help individuals achieve their recovery and wellness goals. Location: Wilmington, IL. Pay: $47,500-58,000 commensurate of experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate peer support to individuals in mental health crisis situations.
• Respond to crisis calls with their partner and work as a team.
• Occasionally work alongside law enforcement and other community agencies.
• Collaborate with individuals to develop a personalized recovery plan that ensures safety and comfort.
• Teach and model effective problem-solving techniques, methods for identifying and combating negative self-talk, and approaches to overcoming fears.
• Assist participants in identifying personal strengths, recovery goals, wellness objectives, and barriers, and help determine appropriate interventions.
• Serve as a role model for recovery by demonstrating effective coping techniques, self-help strategies, and self-care practices.
• Participate in relevant trainings, seminars, and meetings to continuously improve peer support practices.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to assess and respond to high-risk indicators.
• Conduct outreach and assist participants with connecting to community-based resources and services.
• Provide follow-up support to ensure continuity of care and engagement with services.
• Complete all necessary documentation.

Skills

• Strong empathy, active listening, and communication skills with an ability to build trust and rapport.
• Ability to engage and support individuals with diverse backgrounds and complex needs.
• Skilled in facilitating group discussions and peer-led recovery or support groups.
• Knowledge of community resources and services related to mental health, substance use, and recovery.
• Comfortable using technology to complete documentation, communicate with team members, and access resources.
• Capacity to remain calm and supportive in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries while maintaining a peer-centered approach.
• Non-judgmental mindset and commitment to promoting hope, recovery, and empowerment.
• Public speaking and advocacy skills to promote recovery-oriented services and education.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to navigate computer systems, use Microsoft Office and Adobe.

Qualifications

• Lived experience as a consumer of mental health or substance use services (required).
• GED or high school diploma (required); additional education a plus.
• CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) certification or willingness to obtain.