Peer Engagement Specialist - Mobile Crisis Response - CRSS

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Medical insurance plans

403(b) retirement plan with 3% match

EAP program

Student loan forgiveness

Transportation/phone stipend

Job summary

Thresholds seeks a Peer Engagement Specialist for Mobile Crisis Response in Chicago. You will respond to mental health crises, perform safety assessments, and connect individuals with essential services or crisis intervention as needed.

You will work with a Crisis Worker to provide compassionate, recovery‑oriented support, document services, and pursue ongoing professional development within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Lived and living experience with personal mental health recovery.
• Passion for mental health advocacy and peer support.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to problem-solve in crisis situations.
• Strong time management and organization.
• Must be at least 23 years old.
• Valid driver’s license with daily vehicle access preferred.
• Willingness to pursue CRSS licensing if not already held.

Responsibilities

• Respond to crisis calls and conduct safety assessments.
• Connect callers to services or providers as appropriate.
• Meet callers at home, work, or in the community with a Crisis Worker.
• Build rapport and apply recovery-informed approaches.
• Document services and follow up with clients as needed.
• Engage in professional development during downtime.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Crisis intervention

Problem-solving

Time management

Age 23+

Driver's license

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

CRSS certification

Bachelor’s in Psychology/Social Work

Job description

Peer Engagement Specialist - Mobile Crisis Response - CRSS

Job Category: Staff

Requisition Number: PEERE008579

• Posted : September 25, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

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

Strong time management and organization

To be at least 23 years old

A valid driver’s license (having daily access to a vehicle preferred)

Availability to work assigned schedule: Friday - Tuesday 2:45pm - 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: $25.00 - $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)
• 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.

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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