Peer Engagement Specialist (CRSS) - Chicago Northside

About the role

Use your lived experience with mental health recovery to connect with and support people in crisis. Thresholds’ Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) provides services and supports to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities, acting as an alternative to or in conjunction with hospitalization or police response.

Each shift, you will answer calls to the crisis hotline and conduct a safety assessment to determine the appropriate response. You may connect the caller to services or, if needed, meet them in person with a Crisis Worker to provide the least restrictive intervention possible—from assisting with a panic attack to facilitating hospitalization. As a peer professional, you will build rapport by sharing your personal recovery experiences.

Community interventions occur year-round in all weather conditions. The team may distribute basic necessities like first aid items, water, or warm clothes. After responding, you will offer follow-up support and document services provided. During downtime, you can focus on professional development through self-directed projects and community outreach.

Responsibilities

• Respond to mental health crises via crisis hotline and in-person interventions
• Conduct safety assessments to determine appropriate response
• Provide least restrictive interventions, including de-escalation and support
• Share personal recovery experiences to build rapport with individuals in crisis
• Distribute basic necessities (e.g., first aid, water, warm clothes) as needed
• Offer follow-up support and document services provided
• Engage in professional development and community outreach during downtime

Requirements

• Lived and living experience with personal mental health recovery
• Passion for mental health advocacy
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to problem-solve and manage time effectively
• Strong writing and organizational skills
• At least 23 years old
• Valid driver’s license (daily access to a vehicle preferred)
• Willingness to obtain CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) within 1 year of hire
• Ability to remain stationary for prolonged periods and traverse long distances or stairs

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate and willingness to obtain CRSS, or
• High school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience, or
• Active CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) credential, or
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field, or
• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience, or
• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field

Schedule

Tuesday - Saturday: 2:45pm to 11:15pm

Pay

Competitive pay range: $25.50 - $30.58 per hour, based on education, experience, and licensure/certifications.

Benefits

• Generous PTO
• Dental, vision, and 4 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal