Drop-In Center Recovery Support Specialist (Part-time)

Kenneth Young Center; Mount Prospect (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Kenneth Young Center is seeking a Part-Time Drop-In Center Recovery Support Specialist in Mount Prospect, IL. The role emphasizes peer counseling and recovery-oriented activities at a community drop-in site.

As a non-exempt, hourly position, you will engage members, plan activities, assist with transportation, and coordinate with multiple teams to support recovery goals. A CRSS credential or coursework is preferred, with 1–2 years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor’s from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification or coursework with ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• Equivocal experience to a Bachelor’s in one of these helping professions will also be considered.
• 1–2 years’ experience working with individuals recovering from serious mental illness, providing case management and community support, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage drop-in members to increase community integration.
• Assist in planning and implementing drop-in center activities.
• Provide supportive peer counseling using lived experience to connect with members and their families.
• Develop Wellness Action Recovery Plans with members.
• Coordinate care with other teams to address member issues and transitions.

Skills

Peer counseling

Motivational interviewing

Empathy

Ethical conduct

Education

Bachelor's degree (social work/psychology)

CRSS certification or coursework

Job description

PART TIME DROP-IN CENTER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Job Scope: Actively contribute as a peer support counselor to offer a community based, member driven drop-in center that offers recovery focused support, advocacy, leisure and enrichment activities to persons living with mental illness and disabilities who desire to engage fully in community life. Drop-in staff members provide and coordinate a range of activities aimed at engaging and motivating members living independently in the Northwest Suburbs. The drop-in center will be open at flexible times that meet member identified social, interpersonal, and educational/informational needs that improve their level of community integration, stability, and personal satisfaction. The drop-in staff will also serve as early identifiers of risk or instability in members and be able to intervene and encourage members self-refer or take actions to refer members to more formal clinical services

Essential Functions: The work environment characteristics, responsibilities, and competencies described here are representative of those an employee encounters and is required to perform while meeting the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

I. Primary Responsibilities

A. Program Operations

• 1. Engage drop in members in actively using the center to increase level of community integration.
• 2. Assist peer support supervisor to plan and implement drop-in center activities
• 3. Responsible for travel assistance and transportation
• 4. Participate in Kenneth Young Center Mount Prospect Drop-in Member Advisory Council
• 5. Provide supportive peer counseling utilizing personal experience to establish a warm and empathic connection with members and as needed, their families/significant others
• 7. Promote opportunities for clients to build natural systems of support within their communities through exposure to recreational, spiritual, educational, vocational, volunteer and civic activities
• 8. Work with members to develop personal Wellness Action Recovery Plans
• 9. Regularly consult with other Team members including Community Support Team, Employment services, ACT, and IRG, to address specific member issues and coordinate care strategies
• 10. Work cooperatively with other Center teams/staff to maintain smooth transitions and effective continuity of care

B. Administrative and Performance Requirements

• 1. Assist in development and maintenance of local community resources and groups (NAMI, AA etc.). Recovery literature, on-line materials/websites to support members
• 2. Participate in supervision as directed
• 3. Participate in team and other agency meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor
• 4. Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, Center policies and procedures

• A. Promote positive image of KYC with all contacts (customers)
• B. Exhibit high quality work
• C. Be a productive member of the staff
• D. Demonstrate cooperation
• E. Take the initiative to act on own
• F. Use excellent judgment
• G. Communicate clearly and respectfully
• H. Make use of supervision
• I. Contribute to development of a culture of care

III. Core Competencies

• A. Ability to effectively engage and motivate members to participate in activities offered at Drop In
• B. Ability to refer clients to appropriate services and help coordinate care
• C. Act honestly and ethically in all member interactions
• D. Ability to effectively work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and encourage building of natural community support

• A. Show awareness of issues affecting adults with chronic mental illness
• B. Skill in the use of motivational interviewing and engaging clients in self directed care
• C. Demonstrate a working knowledge of community resources that enhance recovery
• D. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification or (course work completed and able to obtain certification within 12 months of hire)
• E. If recovery correlates to substance use, they must have two years of demonstrated sobriety.
• F. Requires significant personal experience with the mental health system as a primary consumer of services.

• A. Has ability to effectively engage guests in care
• B. Has ability to effectively use personal lived experience to support clients in their recovery

VI. Education, Experience and Other requirements

• A. Preferred Bachelors from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline and a Certified Recovery Support
• Specialist (CRSS) certification or (course work completed and able to obtain certification within 12 months of hire). Equivocal experience to a Bachelor's in one of these helping professions will also be considered."

• B.
• C. 1-2 of years’ experience working with individuals recovering from serious and persistent mental illness providing case management and community support preferred
• D. 1 year experience working in non-traditional community settings i.e.: Drop in, senior center, special recreation program
• E. Basic computer proficiency, knowledge of Word and Internet skills
• F. Applicant must have a valid IL Driver’s License, valid auto insurance, and
• access to a well maintained/insured vehicle

• A. This job operates primarily in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

VIII. Physical Demands

• A. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• B. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, use eyes to see and scan the environment
• C. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; bend or stoop as necessary.
• D. Employee is occasionally required to carry, move, or transport health records or other objects weighing as much as 25lbs while conducting group and individual therapy sessions.

IX. Travel

• A. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather and road conditions.
• B. The employee is required to drive the KYC owned passenger van to and from client homes and to various sites in the community and surrounding areas.
• C. Employee may also be required to attend occasional meetings/trainings in and around KYC’s catchment area.

X. Chain of Authority

• A. Reports to Drop-In Center Peer Support Supervisor
• A. Part-Time, Hourly, Non-exempt, 15 hours per week
• B. Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the target population served, including evening and/or weekend hours.
• C. Timekeeping – Accurately record hours worked in the electronic timekeeping system (on a daily basis when possible) in accordance with the timekeeping policy and practice.

Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Kenneth Young Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Kenneth Young Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Kenneth Young Center expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Kenneth Young Center’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.