Community Support Specialist

Under the direction and supervision of the program director/team leader, the Community Support Specialist (RSS) plays a key role providing hands-on support, promoting recovery, and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary staff to help clients achieve independence and stability in the community. This position may be filled by a Mental Health Professional or a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), with preference given to individuals with lived experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides hands-on assistance to help clients achieve independence and stability in the community
• Links participants to community resources, assists with housing, transportation, benefits, and finances, and monitors medication adherence
• Monitors progress toward recovery goals
• Facilitates engagement and continuity of care by coordinating with other CSC team members
• Participates in weekly team meetings and ongoing consultation with the Team Leader
• Facilitates development of an appropriate plan of action that will ensure the safety and comfort of those in crisis
• Utilizes and teaches techniques for problem solving, identifying and combating negative self-talk, identifying and overcoming fears in both one-on-one and group settings
• Promotes participants’ use of self-directed recovery tools
• Role model for effective coping techniques, self-help strategies, and self-care
• Recognizes and reports progress participants make toward meeting objectives
• Supports guests in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or Peer-to-Peer plan
• Ability to recognize and take appropriate action with high-risk indicators
• Supports participants in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy to combat stigma
• Conducts outreach and follow-up with guests
• Maintains service documentation
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field, or current CRSS or desire to pursue CRSS state certification
• WRAP Certification or desire to pursue WRAP Certificate
• Completion of Quality Behavior Solutions (QBS) Safety Care training, CPR, and First aid (upon hire)

Skills

• Ability and knowledge of basic computer programs for service documentation and report writing
• Strong communication skills and comfort with public speaking
• Teaching skills, non-judgmental personality, and empathic listening skills

Physical Demands

• Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard
• Reach, stoop, kneel to install computer equipment
• Physical activities may include pulling, pushing, standing, grasping, stooping, crouching, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion

Benefits

• Health, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
• Educational Assistance
• Paid time off
• Sick time
• Paid Holidays
• Personal Time
• Potential Year-End Bonus
• Financial Assistance Program (Cookie Jar)
• Employee Referral Program (Bounty Bucks)

Pay

$40,000–$45,000

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 3 weekdays and 2 evenings

Location: Joliet, IL