Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Your skills, experience, and passion are needed on our team. We are looking for a new team member to join us working as a Peer Support/Engagement Specialist in our Crisis Services programs, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Crisis services staff work as a team to deliver quality care, and a quick response to residents in need. Click Crisis Services to learn more about our program. In this role you will be responsible for providing follow up to individuals who have contacted 988. Work involves the ability to effectively engage, educate, mentor, support and link clients to the recommended level of care, available social resources, skill training, and healthcare resources while utilizing employee’s own lived recovery experience. Our accredited Crisis Recovery Center is dedicated to delivering exceptional services and support to our community, proudly holding: The American Association of Suicidology Certification. 

                                                                           
 
This position comes with an outstanding benefits package designed to support your personal and professional well-being. As a DuPage County employee, you’ll enjoy 12 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, paid sick time, 5 paid personal days and tuition and certification reimbursement to help you continue growing in your career. We also offer 12 weeks of paid parental leave so you can be there for life’s most important moments. The position is pension-eligible through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), giving you peace of mind with a guaranteed retirement plan. Plus, you may qualify for the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program, making your financial future even brighter. Salary may increase based on experience. This is a grant funded position. 

 Join our team and experience a long-term career which brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you make a difference! 

• Responsible for follow up with individuals who have contacted 988 and are in need of additional follow up for ongoing crisis management. Involves managing a caseload for follow up.
• Assists in de-escalation of clients experiencing a mental health crisis through engagement with client and providing crisis intervention. 
• Empowers clients to advance successfully through all phases of recovery; adapts or delivers services in a manner which ensures understanding and inclusion of diverse client populations.
• Share recovery story with clients in a mutual, two-way helping process to model that recovery can happen.
• Through phone follow up post crisis, encourages clients to participate in opportunities to address other healthcare needs including primary care, dental care, etc.; supports clients with establishing personal wellness and healthcare goal.
• Outreach and engagement to clients to ensure linkage to resources post-crisis and documents these activities.
• Available to respond to clients over the phone during assigned shift; participates in emergency activities as assigned; maintains required training, licensure and/or certification.
• Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws; demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic groups and cultures.
• Adheres to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
• Role models positive recovery behaviors with clients in Behavioral Health programs. Provides skill building and case management to clients with high needs. 
• Develops and maintains positive, respectful, and professional relationships with internal and external customers. 
• Good knowledge of the experience of mental illness and/or substance use including the mental health crisis system, substance use services, recovery process and levels of care through lived experience; good knowledge of how to effectively engage with and outreach to clients both during and following a mental health or substance use crisis.
• Good knowledge of behavioral patterns and effects of mental illness as applicable to the assigned client population; good knowledge of the functions and availability of public and private community resources; good knowledge of program procedures and documentation, some knowledge of medical terminology.
• Considerable skill in engaging individuals who present in crisis; working skill in de-escalating those who present in crisis; working skill in role modeling positive recovery behaviors; working skill in providing skills training.
• Working skill in identifying client’s needs and applicable resources.
• Working skill in exercising sound judgment in adherence with professional standards; working skill in influencing the behavior of others.
• Some skill in maintaining accurate records in compliance with applicable regulations and standards; working skill in developing and maintaining positive and professional relationships with internal and external customers.
• Some skill in written and verbal communication.
• Working skill in operating a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment. 
• Designated staff within this title may serve in a Lead role to support other staff within the same title/position. 

Requirements:

Minimum of high school GED. Two years of experience in the behavioral health field, including active participation in the recovery process; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

The position requires an individual with lived experience and will need to obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within one year of hire. Designated positions may be required to possess a valid Driver’s License and a motor vehicle background check. Availability to attend on-site paid HR new hire orientation for one week during the day shift at our CPHC in Wheaton, plus additional training at our CRC center.