Location: Onsite - Northfield, IL
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 4 PM - 12 AM
Payrate: $20.59
Job Summary
The purpose of the peer specialist is to serve as a role model, mentor and motivator to support guests in the
development of skills, confidence and relationships as part of their mental health recovery. The peer specialist
collaborates with a team of other peer specialists, peer manager and crisis team to offer hope and recovery-based
support in our drop-in and Living Room programs. The peer specialist provides direct peer recovery support based on
their own living experience.
Essential Responsibilities and Metrics
• Greet and welcome all guests who attend the Living Room and Drop-in Center.
• Provide mentorship, advocacy and strength-based and recovery-based support to Living Room and Drop-in
Center guests.
• Provide individualized guidance, mentoring and support, as directed by the guest’s personal goals for recovery.
• Provided individualized, external resources for guests as requested based on needs.
• Inquire about guest’s safety and current needs and engage in crisis assessment as needed with the support of
the Crisis Team.
• Help to engage guests who appear to be isolated and withdrawn.
• Be aware of group dynamics and tensions. Diffuse tensions as appropriate utilizing crisis de-escalation
techniques, appropriate facilitation and ask for supervisor support as needed.
• Share appropriate and professional level of lived experiences to express empathy, establish trust and connection
as part of the recovery-based model.
• Collaborate with mental health team to create a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all guests
served in the Living Room and Drop-In Center.
Qualifications
• High School Diploma or GED required
• Completion of cRSS training preferred
• Willing to obtain CRSS within 2 years of employment
• Life experience as a consumer of mental health services and be willing to share recovery experiences to inspire hope
and change in others.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, empathy and relationship building skills to establish trust and connections
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