Recovery Support Specialist - Living Room Program

Kenneth Young Center; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) match

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Life insurance

Incentive program

Annual bonus

PSLF eligibility

PTO 4 weeks

8 holidays

Personal floating holidays

Job summary

Kenneth Young Center in Elk Grove Village, IL, is seeking a Recovery Support Specialist for the Living Room Program. You will operate as a peer recovery advocate, guiding crisis planning and developing Wellness Recovery Action Plans to support clients in a safe, welcoming environment.

The role emphasizes compassionate, lived-experience input and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. A Bachelor's degree is preferred, with CPRS/CRSS certification encouraged and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in social work, psychology or related discipline.
• CRSS/CPRS certification or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• 1–2 years experience in community-based mental health support.
• Valid IL Driver's License and auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Engage clients as a peer recovery support specialist in crisis settings.
• Assist in developing personal safety and WRAP plans.
• Support 24/7 Living Room operations and crisis response.
• Coordinate with clinical staff to link clients to resources.
• Provide empathetic, experiential-based counseling and support.
• Assist in travel and transportation needs as required.
• Document interactions and participate in supervision.

Skills

Peer support

Empathy

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred in social work/psychology or related field

CRSS or CPRS certification or ability to obtain within 12 months

Job description

Position:Recovery Support Specialist - Living Room Program

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL

Job Id:1084

# of Openings:1

Recovery Support Specialist - Living Room Program

Kenneth Young Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to individuals of all walks of life. Located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, we offer a wide range of services including outpatient therapeutic care, recovery-oriented support, community prevention, LGBTQ+ outreach, older adult services, and crisis intervention. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.

Kenneth Young Center offers arobust benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:

• 403(b) plan with organizational matching


• Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois - BCBS)


• Dental (BCBS), and Vision Insurance (BCBS) with low employee premiums


• Long Term and Short Term Disability (BCBS), no cost to employee


• Flexible Spending Account (with annual rollover)


• Basic life insurance (50k) paid forby the organization and option for additional voluntary coverage for self, spouse, or dependents (BCBS)


• Incentive program with potential for quarterly bonuses


• Opportunity for annual bonus and salary increase (discretionary based on annual KYC financial audit)


• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance,KYCalso offers agenerous amount of paid time off and staff holidays.

• 4weeks of Paid Time Off (With increases based on seniority)


• 8 Paid Organization-Wide Holidays


• 3Personal Floating Holidays annually

Job Scope

Actively contribute as a peer recovery support specialist (RSS) while working with other staff members to provide a safe place to go during crisis. This role will guide the exploration of recovery crisis planning and development of a personal safety plan or even a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). Living Rooms embrace the Recovery Model and offer people experiencing mental health crises a calm and safe environment. The community outpatient centers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and people receive care immediately. The Living Room will eventually operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well.

Program Operations

• Engage and orient the client to the Living Room.


• Engage with local First Responders to assist in providing a warm hand off of clients.


• Assist peer support supervisor to plan and implement activities.


• Responsible for facility set-up and maintenance.


• Responsible for travel assistance and transportation.


• Provide supportive peer counseling utilizing personal lived experience to establish a warm and empathic connection with clients and as needed, their families/significant others.


• Promote opportunities for clients to develop a personal safety plan.


• Assist in the development of personal Wellness Recovery Action Plans.


• Regularly consult with other Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Team members to address specific client issues and coordinate care strategies.


• Support safety of clients and assist with important service linkages to resources desired by clients.

Administrative and Performance Requirements

• Assist in training center staff.


• Assist in development and maintenance of local community resources and groups (NAMI, AA etc.), recovery literature, on-line materials/websites to support clients.


• Participate in supervision as directed.


• Participate in team and other agency meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor.


• Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, Living Room policies and procedures.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree preferred from an accredited college or university insocial work, psychology or a related discipline and/or


• A Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification or ability to completecourse work and able to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.


• Preferred 1-2 of years experience working with individuals recovering from serious and persistent mental illness providing case management and community support and/or


• Preferred 1-2 years experience working in non-traditional community settings i.e.: Drop in, senior center, special recreation program


• 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

Schedule

• Full-time, Hourly, Non-exempt, 37.5 hours per week


• Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the target population served, including evening and/or weekend hours.


• Full-time, Hourly, Non-exempt, 37.5 hours per week


• Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the target population served, including evening and/or weekend hours.

Kenneth Young Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer