Peer Support/Engagement Specialist Overnight

DuPage County Health Department; Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition reimbursement

Federal student loan forgiveness

Pension-eligible position

Job summary

DuPage County Health Department in Wheaton seeks a Peer Support Engagement Specialist for overnight shifts (Wed–Sat, 9:30 pm–7:30 am) to join Crisis Recovery Center. The role emphasizes engagement, de-escalation, and recovery-focused support for individuals in psychiatric crises.

Candidates should have at least two years in behavioral health, a valid driver's license, and the CRSS credential within one year; compliance with privacy laws, and ability to work as part of a two-person response team.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in the behavioral health field or equivalent.
• Must have a valid drivers license and reliable vehicle.
• CRSS credential must be obtained within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Respond in the community and on-site as part of a two-person crisis response team.
• Assist in de-escalation and engagement during psychiatric crises.
• Establish rapport, share experiences, and support recovery within Crisis Programs.
• Model recovery behaviors and provide skill-building and case management to high-need clients.
• Maintain training, licensure/certification, and client privacy protections.
• Document in the Electronic Client Record and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Two years of behavioral health

Valid drivers license

Willing to disclose lived experience

Education

CRSS credential within 1 year

Job description

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Your skills, experience, and passion are needed on our team. We are looking for a new team member to join us at our new Crisis Recovery Center, located in Wheaton. This is an exciting opportunity to part of the expanding crisis services at the DuPage County Health Department!

Located in our new Crisis Recovery Center on the DuPage County Campus in Wheaton, Crisis Services provides 24/7 crisis mental health services to county residents experiencing psychiatric crises or needing support for mental illness symptoms. Our team delivers top-notch care with rapid response times. Click https://youtu.be/SbhV8N3-Fus tolearn more about the Crisis Recovery Center.

We are looking for a new team member to join us working as a Peer Support Engagement Specialist on our overnight shift, Wednesdaythrough Saturday from 9:30 pm to 7:30 am. *Salary may increase based on experience and receipt of CRSS certification.$2.50 per hour shift differential applies

As a DuPage County employee, you will receive a comprehensive benefit package to include, 12 paid vacation days, 5 paid personal days, 12 paid Holidays, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, accrued sick leave and affordable health insurance coverage through Blue Cross Blues Shield. We offer tuition reimbursement as well as eligibility for a Federal Student Load Forgiveness Program. This is a pension-eligible position, for a secure retirement.

• Responds in the community and on-site to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis as a member of a two-person response team. Referral sources may include individuals or their family members, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, for all ages in our community.
• Assists in de-escalation of clients experiencing a mental health crisis through engagement with client and coordination with team members providing clinical intervention.
• Establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with the individual experiencing the crisis throughout all Crisis Programs.
• Willingness to self-disclose personal lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery (or both) for the benefit of supporting the individuals’ receiving services.
• Role model positive recovery behaviors with clients in Crisis Programs.
• Provides skill building and case management to clients with high need.
• Maintains required training, licensure and/or certification.
• Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic groups and cultures.
• Adheres to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
• Completion of required documentation within established timeframes, through use of an Electronic Client Record
• Participates in team meetings to assess clients’ progress.
• Participates in emergency response activities as assigned.

Two years of experience in the behavioral health field, including active participation in the recovery process; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. This role requires you to have a valid driver's license, along with your own personal vehicle that is reliable to drive while working in this role.

Must have availability to attend our on-site HR New Hire Orientation and as well as on the job training during the day shift, generally from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Position requires individual with lived recovery experience and will need to obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within one year of hire. The CRSS is a credential for those who provide mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental illness and substance use recovery support to others. A person with the CRSS credential uses unique insights gained through personal recovery experience.

As it is a requirement of the role, please see the following sites for more information about the CRSS credential, including the application process: https://www.illinoismentalhealthcollaborative.com/consumers/consumer_crss.htm https://www.iaodapca.org/credentialing/recovery-support-specialist/ https://www.iaodapca.org/jobs/post-a-job/