Residential Support Specialist - REACH

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous PTO

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Medical insurance plans

403(b) retirement with 3% match

EAP

Job summary

Thresholds is seeking a Residential Support Specialist to coach young adults with mental health challenges, focusing on independent living, relationships, and career exploration in a residential setting.

You will teach skills, model healthy behavior, assist with daily living activities, and document client progress while ensuring safety and wellbeing in a supportive home environment.

Qualifications

• Requires passion for mental health advocacy and strong communication.
• Must demonstrate compassion and respect while working in someone’s home.
• Must be patient and able to meet youth where they are; strong writing/detail skills.

Responsibilities

• Coaches youth on independent living skills and coping strategies.
• Supports youth with relationships, school success, health, and daily living.
• Maintains a safe, clean residential environment and documents progress in records.

Skills

Mental health advocacy

Communication

Compassion and respect

Patience

Written communication

TCI restraint training

Shift availability

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree or higher

Job description

Do you enjoy getting to know someone and coaching them towards achieving their goals related to work, relationships, and independent living? You could make a difference in someone’s life every day as a Residential Support Specialist (RSS) working with young adults between the ages of 16-21.

Residential Support Specialists work one-on-one and in groups with youth experiencing mental health challenges. Within the residential setting, you will assist the clients as they learn and practice skills related to what matters most to young people: relationships, school success, recreational activities, health and wellness, early career experiences, and day-to-day living. You will also ensure safety by helping youth regulate and safely express their emotions, including using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) skills. During an average day, you will teach independent living skills like hygiene and housekeeping, help residents prepare meals, model relationship building skills, and coach youth on coping skills.

Not only do you help clients develop key independent living skills, you are also fostering a safe and inviting living environment by regularly cleaning the residence. You will see their progress and document their experiences, success with medication management, and recovery process as they transition to adulthood.

To succeed in this role, you need:

• Passion for mental health advocacy
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Compassion and respect while working in someone’s home
• Patience and willingness to meet youth where they’re at
• Good writing skills and attention to detail
• To be able to perform Therapeutic Crisis Intervention therapeutic restraint techniques, which require moderate exertion, being able to lift 40 pounds, and the mobility to lower self to a kneeling position on the floor. This training is provided and required by Thresholds.
• Availability to work the following shift: Saturday - Wednesday 3P-11P

There are multiple educational pathways to be eligible for this role:

• High School diploma or GED certificate with at least 5 years of related experience and at least 25 years of age.
• Associates degree or higher and at least 21 years of age.

What sets Thresholds apart

• Competitive pay – Pay Range: $22.30 - 24.60 per hour / $46,384 - $51,168 annually
  • Based upon education, experience, and licensure
  • $1000 salary increase for LSW or LPC licensure
  • $1000 salary increase for CRSS
• Generous PTO
• Dental insurance, vision insurance,4 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plans with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
• Public service loan forgiveness
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for licensure and licensure 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.