Peer Engagement Specialist (CRSS) - Chicago Northside

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous PTO

Health insurance (Dental & Vision)

403(b) retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Mileage reimbursement

Public service loan forgiveness

Cell phone reimbursement

Clinical licensure supervision

Licensure reimbursement

Job summary

Thresholds is seeking a Peer Engagement Specialist to join our Mobile Crisis Response Team in Chicago. You will respond to crises, perform safety assessments, and connect callers with the right resources while leveraging your own recovery journey to foster trust.

You will work within a collaborative team, document services, and pursue ongoing professional development, including clinical supervision and licensure support. This role emphasizes harm reduction and trauma-informed care.

Qualifications

• Lived and living experience with personal mental health recovery.
• Passion for mental health advocacy.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Good writing skills.
• Strong time management and organization.
• At least 23 years old.
• Valid driver's license; daily vehicle access preferred.
• Willingness to obtain CRSS within 1 year of hire.
• Availability to work Tue-Sat 2:45pm–11:15pm.

Responsibilities

• Respond to mental health crises via crisis hotline or in person.
• Conduct quick safety assessments and determine appropriate response.
• Connect callers to services or provide face-to-face intervention with a Crisis Worker.
• Build rapport with individuals in crisis using shared recovery experiences.
• Provide follow-up and document services rendered.
• Engage in professional development during downtime.

Skills

Personal recovery experience

Mental health advocacy

Communication skills

Problem solving

Writing skills

Time management

Age requirement

Driver's license

CRSS within 1 year

Evening shift availability

Education

High school diploma or GED

CRSS credential

Bachelor's degree in Psychology

Bachelor's degree in unrelated field + 2 years clinical experience

Master's degree in Psychology

Job description

Use your lived experience with mental health recovery to connect with and support people in crisis! Like a physical health crisis, a mental health crisis can be devastating for individuals, families, and communities. Thresholds' Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is committed to providing services and supports to best meet the needs of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. As a Peer Engagement Specialist, you will respond to mental health crises in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities, acting as an alternative to or in conjunction with hospitalization or police response.

Each shift, you will answer calls to our crisis hotline and conduct a quick yet robust safety assessment to determine what response is needed. You may connect the caller to an appropriate service or provider, or if a face-to-face intervention is necessary, you and a Crisis Worker will meet the caller at home, their workplace, or another location in the community. As a pair, you will assist the person in crisis with the least restrictive intervention possible. This can look like anything from walking someone through a panic attack to assisting them with hospitalization. Your role as the peer professional includes building rapport with the person in crisis, specifically by sharing your personal recovery experiences.

Community interventions occur year-round, in all weather conditions. The team may also distribute basic necessities to individuals in crisis, such as first aid items, water, or warm clothes. After responding to the crisis, you will offer a follow-up to the client based on their needs as well as document the services provided. During downtime between calls, you will have the opportunity to focus on professional development through self-directed projects and community outreach efforts.

The culture at Thresholds is collaborative and supportive, providing you with the tools and resources you need for the best client care. Opportunities for training and professional development, including clinical supervision, will deepen your knowledge and expand your clinical skills in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices. This invaluable experience will set you up for a variety of career paths and growth opportunities within our organization.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time and occasionally traverse long distances and ascend/descend multiple flights of stairs.

To succeed in this role, you need:

• Lived and living experience with personal mental health recovery
• Passion for mental health advocacy
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to problem-solve
• Good writing skills
• Strong time management and organization
• To be at least 23 years old
• A valid driver's license (having daily access to a vehicle preferred)
• Willingness to obtain CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) within 1 year of hire
• Availability to work assigned schedule: Tuesday - Saturday: 2:45pm to 11:15pm

Many education and experience paths are eligible for this role:

• High school diploma or GED certificate and willingness to obtain CRSS
• High school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience
• Active CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) credential
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience
• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field

What sets Thresholds apart:

• Competitive pay - Pay Range: $25.50 - $30.58 per hour
  • Based on education, experience, and licensure/certifications
• Generous PTO
• Dental insurance, vision insurance,4 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Public service loan forgiveness
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal

Thresholds is a mission-driven agency with a deep commitment to fostering an environment where all feel valued and respected, a place where every employee can be themselves, thrive, and support the agency's mission. Click here to learn more.

One of the oldest and largest community mental health organizations in Illinois, we pride ourselves in being a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and one of Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, several years in a row.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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