Mobile Crisis Recovery & Engagement Specialist

Kenneth Young Center; Arlington Heights (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Kenneth Young Center is seeking a Mobile Crisis Recovery & Engagement Specialist in Arlington Heights, IL. The role requires skills in crisis intervention and peer counseling, with responsibilities including providing support during crises and case management. Candidates should possess a high school GED and preferably a BA in social work or psychology, along with CRSS certification. A flexible schedule is required to respond to the needs of clients, including evening and weekend hours.

Qualifications

• Minimum of high school GED; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• CRSS certification or eligible within 12 months of hire.
• 1-2 years experience with individuals recovering from mental illness.

Responsibilities

• Provide safety screening and support services to clients in crisis.
• Conduct in-person and telephone crisis screenings.
• Provide follow-up support and case management services.

Skills

Crisis intervention skills

Peer counseling skills

Communication skills

Basic computer proficiency

Education

High School GED

Bachelor’s degree in social work or psychology

CRSS or CPRS certification

Job description

Mobile Crisis Recovery & Engagement Specialist

Job Scope

Actively contribute as a peer recovery support specialist while working with individuals and families across the lifespan within community-based systems to provide services including crisis intervention and linkage to care. The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCR) is responsible for over-the-phone and in-person de-escalation and safety screening, assessment, and resolution services. Team members contribute with in-office and on-call response to ensure 24/7/365 coverage for crisis intervention, as well as outreach to individuals’ post-crisis as part of the continuum of care.

Crisis calls will be received through the 988 Crisis Response Line and/or directly through the KYC crisis line as part of the Crisis Care System (CCS). Crisis Line is 24 hours including evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours. Mobile response area is Schaumburg and Elk Grove Townships.

Recovery and Engagement Specialists should have their CRSS certification or be eligible for CRSS within 1 year of hire. In this role, an Engagement Specialist uses their own lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, combined with training, to mentor, support, and advocate for others in recovery, helping the client build skills, set goals, find resources, and connect with community to foster hope, empowerment, and successful recovery. They act as role models, bridge gaps with clinical teams, and help individuals navigate systems, focusing on strengths and building recovery capital like housing, employment, and relationships.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of safety screening and support services to clients and their families in crisis. These services include the following:
• Provide supportive peer counseling utilizing personal lived experience to establish a warm and empathic connection with clients and as needed, their families/significant others.
• In-person crisis screenings completed in a two-person team to assess current needs and determine level of risk.
• Telephone crisis screenings to assess current needs and determine level of risk.
• Promote opportunities for clients to develop a personal safety plan to stabilize a client without the use of hospitalization, if hospitalization is not warranted.
• Coordinate with Supervisor on Call for any escalated situation that may require hospitalization or EMS response.
• Short-term case management services to reduce likelihood of future crisis
  • Linkage with established care providers
  • Linkage to community resources
  • Support to help a client bridge access to services
• Participate as a responsible crisis team member to maintain continuous on-call coverage (24/7) and to accomplish other team tasks, goals and responsibilities.
• Provide follow-up that reflects the CCS MCR program demands.
• Provide timely and accurate assessments of incoming crisis calls with clinically appropriate dispositions utilizing available QMHP.
• Determine the need for additional services based on the assessment and facilitate linkage.
• Participate in consultation, as needed, with other KYC programs and outside agencies, including professionals, PD, EMS or with paid agency consultants.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of high school GED; Bachelor’s degree preferred from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline.
• A Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification or ability to complete coursework and obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Preferred 1-2 years experience working with individuals recovering from serious and persistent mental illness providing case management and community support.
• Basic computer proficiency, knowledge of Word and Internet skills.
• Applicant must have a valid IL Driver’s License, valid auto insurance, and access to a well‑maintained/insured vehicle.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a community/mobile setting.
• Roughly two thirds of the employee’s time will be spent in the community, driving to and from client homes and community sites to perform crisis screenings and outreach activities.
• In conducting screenings and follow‑ups with the family, an employee may be exposed to varied public and residential environments.

Travel Requirements

• 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.
• Employee may also be required to attend occasional meetings/trainings in and around KYC’s catchment area.

Schedule/Time Keeping

• Non-exempt, Full-Time, 37.5 hours/week.
• Must work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the target population served, including additional rotating, stipend reimbursed, on-call shifts, which include evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours.

Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer