Community Engagement Specialist

Pillars Community Health; Berwyn (IL); On-site; USD 27,552 - 33,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off for vacation and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Pillars Community Health is expanding its Mobile Crisis Response team and seeks Community Engagement Specialists to assist individuals in mental health crises. The role focuses on utilizing de-escalation techniques and supporting recovery through peer experience.

Ideal candidates have experience in behavioral health, preferably crisis intervention, and must be bilingual in English and Spanish for at least two positions. The work environment is dynamic, including client homes and office settings.

Qualifications

• Must be a current or former consumer of behavioral health services.
• At least 1 year of experience in behavioral health or related fields.
• Crisis intervention experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond to individuals in mental health crisis, assessing needs.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques to support clients.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to client privacy laws.
• Document required information through an Electronic Client Record.

Skills

Mental health crisis intervention

De-escalation techniques

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Community engagement

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)

Job description

Pillars Community Health is expanding our Mobile Crisis Response team and hiring several new Community Engagement Specialists as our program continues to grow.

SUMMARY

Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This position works as a mental health peer specialist and supports the crisis response by utilizing de‑escalation techniques, supporting the development of crisis safety plans, and coordinating immediate and post‑crisis follow‑up care as necessary. Assists individuals living with mental illness to identify and achieve specific life goals by utilizing unique insights gained through personal recovery experience. Utilizes experience to facilitate and support the recoveries of others and to help shape systems of care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to support the team’s response either in person or virtually (if appropriate), to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Provide on‑site assessment within 60 minutes.
• Triages and dispatches telephone calls that come through the crisis line to the appropriate staff or department as needed. This is done on a rotating schedule.
• Assists in utilizing de‑escalation techniques, in coordination with the MCR Clinician, with clients experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Utilizes own lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services to establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with individuals that have experienced a mental health crisis.
• Supports positive recovery behaviors with clients in Behavioral Health Crisis programs with a focus on identifying client strengths and needs, and linking individuals to additional resources and support systems to mitigate future crisis episodes.
• May carry a small caseload for post‑crisis follow‑up activities that include skill building and case management to clients with high need.
• Completes required crisis, de‑escalation, and position trainings and certifications.
• Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of all communities and cultures.
• Completes required documentation within established timeframes, through use of an Electronic Client Record.
• Participates in specific program meetings, including required staff, line of service, and organizational meetings, and required trainings, and consultations.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED). Position requires one to be a current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorder services. At least one (1) year of experience working in behavioral health, social services, human services or another related field. Crisis intervention experience preferred.

LANGUAGE

Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills required for at least 2 positions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

This position encourages one to work towards earning the CRSS credential. The Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) professional is trained to share and incorporate their own unique personal life experiences as a current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorder services, in providing peer‑to‑peer mental health, rehabilitation, and substance abuse services.

• Develop hope for recovery
• Increase problem‑solving skills
• Develop natural support networks
• Participate fully in life in the community

The CRSS requirements are outlined in “Illinois Model for Mental Health Certified Recovery Support Specialist”. To obtain the CRSS, the following is required:

• High school diploma or GED
• 2,000 hours supervised work experience, which can include any combination of paid or volunteer work
• 100 hours supervision in the CRSS performance domains
• 100 hours training and education related to CRSS domains, professional ethics and responsibility, and other core functions
• Successful completion of a written exam for CRSS

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work environment may include client homes and a general office environment. Local travel, including transporting clients, is required.

OTHER

Must maintain a safe driving record and have current valid Illinois Driver’s License. Personal vehicle needed for travel to/from community‑based interventions. Response requirements per our service contract require response periods to be within 60 minutes. Reliable transportation is necessary for responding to crisis calls in a timely manner. Mileage for authorized work‑related purposes is reimbursable.

SCHEDULE EXPECTATIONS

The Community Engagement Specialist will work on‑site at the PCH office with the other CES team members. The schedule will consist of covering shifts between the hours of 7 AM – 7 PM.

PCH has a team of additional part‑time/variable hour staff to cover the hotline after 7 pm, overnight, on weekends, and holidays. As a last resort, full‑time staff may be asked to assist with gaps in coverage, as needed.

PAY & BENEFIT INFORMATION

$20.00 – $24.00 per hour*

* Wage is based on one’s experience, qualifications, and bilingual language skills as compared with our position requirements and other similar employees within the organization.

Medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability, life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, FSA, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off for vacation, sick, personal time, holidays, & wellness day. Professional development membership to Relias Essential Learning.