Recovery Support Specialist - Outpatient

Heritage Behavioral Health Center; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Wellness benefits: Every other Friday,

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k and Roth

Tuition assistance

NHSC loan forgiveness

Job summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, Illinois, is hiring a Recovery Support Specialist to empower adults on their recovery journey using lived experience. The role operates in community settings, coordinating with care teams to promote hope, resilience, and person-driven care.

You will help clients access housing, employment, education, healthcare, and social supports while modeling recovery principles and maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification as Recovery Support Specialist within 12 months.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid driver's license and transportation.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with individuals using shared lived experience and mutual respect.
• Provide peer mentoring and recovery coaching to help clients identify strengths and goals.
• Promote SAMHSA's recovery principles by encouraging self-determination, empowerment, and inclusion.
• Assist clients in accessing resources for housing, employment, education, healthcare, and social supports.
• Facilitate connections to peer support groups and recovery-oriented activities.
• Model recovery and resilience through appropriate self-disclosure and advocacy.
• Support individuals during transitions, including hospital discharge, crisis stabilization, or entry into treatment.
• Document services accurately and maintain confidentiality per agency and regulatory standards.

Skills

Lived experience

Peer coaching

Communication

Active listening

Cultural humility

Advocacy

Education

High School Diploma

CRSS certification eligibility within 12 months

Job description

Recovery Support Specialist - Decatur, Illinois

Salary:

High School or GED: $18.00/hour + every other Friday off paid for wellness

Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS): $23.00/hour + every other Friday off paid for wellness

Salary range is based on education, experience, and certification

Schedule:

Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care - regardless of the position they hold.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Collaborative mission-driven work environment
• Every other Friday off - paid wellness days
• Competitive salaries and career pathway to certification
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

Your Role:

Recovery Support Specialist - Heritage Behavioral Health Center (Decatur, Illinois)

As a Recovery Support Specialist at Heritage Behavioral Health Center, you will use your lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to provide hope, guidance, and practical support to adults on their recovery journey. This community-based role focuses on empowering individuals to define and achieve their personal goals, build resilience, and strengthen connections to natural supports. You will work in homes, social service agencies, healthcare settings, and other community environments, modeling recovery and promoting SAMHSA's principles of hope, person-driven care, holistic support, peer relationships, and respect.

Core Responsibilities:

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with individuals based on shared lived experience and mutual respect.
• Provide peer mentoring and recovery coaching to help clients identify strengths, set goals, and develop coping strategies.
• Promote SAMHSA's recovery principles by encouraging self-determination, empowerment, and community inclusion.
• Assist clients in accessing resources for housing, employment, education, healthcare, and social supports.
• Facilitate connections to peer support groups and recovery-oriented activities.
• Model recovery and resilience through appropriate self-disclosure and advocacy.
• Support individuals during transitions, including hospital discharge, crisis stabilization, or entry into treatment.
• Document services accurately and maintain confidentiality in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, social service agencies, and community partners to coordinate care.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Understanding of recovery principles, peer support ethics, and trauma-informed care.
• Familiarity with mental health and substance use challenges and community resources.

Skills:

• Ability to share lived experience in a way that inspires hope and promotes recovery.
• Strong communication and active listening skills.
• Problem-solving and advocacy skills to help individuals navigate complex systems.

Abilities:

• Work independently in community settings while maintaining accountability.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and respect for diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to peer support values.
• Adapt to changing needs and environments with flexibility and resilience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Ability to obtain Certification as a Recovery Support Specialist within 12 months of employment
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

• Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off paid, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. Health insurance includes substantial agency contributions toward the cost.
• Retirement: 401k and Roth
• Professional Growth: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities
• Loan Forgiveness: Eligible through the National Health Service Corp