Peer Support Specialist

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist provides peer-based engagement, de-escalation, and recovery support during mobile crisis encounters. Drawing on lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, this role helps individuals feel safe, understood, and willing to participate in services. The Peer Support Specialist partners with the Crisis Counselor to support stabilization and connection to care, while the Crisis Counselor retains responsibility for clinical assessment and decision-making.

Primary Role During a Crisis Response

• Lead the human connection on scene so that clinical assessment can occur effectively.
• Reduce emotional intensity, increase cooperation, and help the individual participate in the plan that is clinically determined.
• Support voluntary participation in services whenever clinically appropriate.

Core Responsibilities

• Engagement and De-escalation
• Environmental Stabilization
• Recovery and Safety Planning Support
• Linkage and Follow-Through
• Productivity and Direct Service
• Documentation and Compliance

Workflow Compliance

• Follow established intake procedures.
• Follow crisis response workflows.
• Follow documentation workflows.
• Follow communication protocols.
• Follow deployment and dispatch procedures.
• Follow organizational policies and operational procedures.

Training and Professional Development

• Complete required orientation activities.
• Complete required agency training.
• Complete crisis-specific training requirements.
• Complete grant-required training activities.
• Maintain required certifications and credentials.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.

Vehicle and Equipment Responsibilities

• Maintain agency vehicles, equipment, and supplies in accordance with organizational standards.
• Report maintenance, safety, or equipment concerns promptly.
• Ensure readiness for field response activities.

Culture and Professionalism

• Contribute to a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and respect.
• Engage in constructive problem-solving.
• Address conflict professionally and through appropriate channels.
• Support a psychologically safe work environment.
• Demonstrate teamwork and shared responsibility for program success.

Community Representation

• Represent the Crisis Program and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare professionally during community events, outreach activities, meetings, trainings, and all interactions with community partners.

Quality Improvement

• Contribute to continuous quality improvement through participation in program development, data collection, performance improvement initiatives, audits, documentation standards, and service excellence activities appropriate to their role.

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.