Community Engagement Specialist

About the Role

Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This position operates as a mental health peer specialist, supporting crisis response through de-escalation techniques, development of crisis safety plans, and coordination of immediate and post-crisis follow-up care. Assists individuals living with mental illness to identify and achieve specific life goals by utilizing unique insights gained through personal recovery experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the Mobile Crisis Response team’s in-person or virtual response to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, providing on-site assessment within 60 minutes.
• Triage and dispatch telephone calls from the crisis line to appropriate staff or departments on a rotating schedule.
• Assist in utilizing de-escalation techniques, in coordination with the MCR Clinician, for clients in crisis.
• Leverage lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services to establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with individuals who have experienced a mental health crisis.
• Support positive recovery behaviors, focusing on identifying client strengths and needs, and linking individuals to additional resources and support systems to mitigate future crisis episodes.
• Carry a small caseload for post-crisis follow-up activities, including skill-building and case management for high-need clients.
• Complete required crisis, de-escalation, and position-specific trainings and certifications.
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information and adhere to client privacy laws.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of diverse communities and cultures.
• Complete required documentation within established timeframes using an Electronic Client Record.
• Participate in program meetings, including staff, line of service, organizational meetings, trainings, and consultations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Must be a current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorders services.
• At least one (1) year of experience working in behavioral health, social services, human services, or a related field.
• Crisis intervention experience preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills required for at least 2 positions.
• Must maintain a safe driving record and have a current valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Personal vehicle required for travel to/from community-based interventions; reliable transportation necessary for timely crisis response.
• Mileage for authorized work-related purposes is reimbursable.

Qualifications

This position encourages working toward earning the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential. The CRSS professional is trained to share and incorporate their personal recovery experiences to provide peer-to-peer mental health, rehabilitation, and substance abuse services. The CRSS certification can be obtained through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. / IAODAPCA and requires:

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2,000 hours of supervised work experience (paid or volunteer).
• 100 hours of supervision in CRSS performance domains.
• 100 hours of training and education related to CRSS domains, professional ethics, and core functions.
• Successful completion of a written CRSS exam.

Work Environment

The role involves working in client homes and a general office environment. Local travel, including transporting clients, is required. Response requirements per service contract mandate response periods within 60 minutes.

Schedule

The Community Engagement Specialist will work on-site at the PCH office, covering shifts between 7 AM – 7 PM. Part-time/variable-hour staff cover the hotline after 7 PM, overnight, on weekends, and holidays. Full-time staff may occasionally assist with coverage gaps as needed.

Pay

$20.00 - $24.00 per hour. Wage is based on experience, qualifications, and bilingual language skills as compared with position requirements and organizational standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short/long-term disability, life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid time off for vacation, sick leave, personal time, holidays, and wellness days.
• Professional development membership to Relias Essential Learning.