Peer Support Specialist

Become a champion of hope.

At Rosecrance, we’ve been leading the way in behavioral health services for over a century. Our team empowers individuals and families to overcome substance use and mental health challenges through compassionate care and evidence-based therapies. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact, we’re ready to welcome you! We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team and help deliver on our mission of hope and recovery.

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCR-T), partnering with a Crisis Counselor to provide rapid, community-based behavioral health and substance use crisis support. Drawing upon lived experience and recovery principles, the Peer Support Specialist provides trauma-informed peer support, engagement, advocacy, resource linkage, and follow-up services to individuals and families experiencing behavioral health crises.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Crisis Response and Peer Support

• Serve as the Peer Support Specialist on a Mobile Crisis Response Team alongside a Crisis Counselor.
• Provide community-based crisis support in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings.
• Utilize lived experience and recovery principles to establish rapport and engage individuals in crisis.
• Provide trauma-informed peer support during and following crisis events.
• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, coping skills, supports, and recovery resources.
• Support clients in understanding and verbalizing triggers, warning signs, and strategies to prevent future crises.
• Assist with de-escalation efforts for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms.
• Promote hope, empowerment, and self-advocacy throughout the recovery process.

 Maintain engagement with individuals following crisis events to support stabilization and linkage to services.

• Assist individuals in accessing behavioral health treatment, substance use services, housing resources, medical care, transportation, benefits, and other community supports.
•  Participate in outreach and engagement efforts designed to increase access to crisis and behavioral health services.
• Work collaboratively with clients, families, support systems, agency staff, and community providers to identify appropriate next steps following a crisis event.

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and care coordination activities.

• Maintain records in accordance with agency, state, federal, and payer requirement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Personal lived experience with behavioral health and/or substance use recovery.
• Ability to utilize lived experience in a professional and recovery-oriented manner.
• Ability to establish positive and supportive relationships with individuals experiencing crisis.

Required Certifications

• Must obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification within two (2) years of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience providing peer support services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use challenges.
• Knowledge of community resources and behavioral health systems.
• Experience working with diverse populations and community partners.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Ability to travel throughout the designated service area.
• Ability to work flexible schedules as needed.
• Successful completion of required background checks and agency screening requirements.

Work Location:

1802 N. Division St, Suite 222

Morris, IL 60450

Shifts Available:

• Days- 8:30am-5pm
• Afternoons-2pm-11pm
• Midnights-11pm-8am

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive pay based on qualifications, experience, and credentials (starting at $15.00 per hour).
• Generous full-time benefits package including:
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Agency-paid benefit contribution of approximately 90%.
• Shift differential opportunities.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Opportunity to utilize lived experience to positively impact individuals, families, and communities experiencing behavioral health crises.

 

 

Who We Are

Rosecrance has been at the forefront of providing behavioral health services for over a century. Our mission is to empower individuals and families to overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges through evidence-based therapies and compassionate care. Join us in our mission to foster lasting recovery and transform lives.

We are committed to providing careers that make a difference in the lives of the people we serve and the people we employ. We do this through the work we do, our core mission and values, our employee resources, and especially through our purpose-driven community of opportunity and hope.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We maintain a zero-tolerance drug-free environment, including marijuana, to prioritize safety for staff and clients. All candidates must pass an occupational health screening, ensuring a secure and healthy workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Rosecrance is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the requirements of the position.

Our Partnerships

• AARP Employer Pledge Program
• MSEP (Military Spouse Employment Partnership).

Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply today and be part of something bigger! Your role at Rosecrance will help transform lives—starting with your own.

Environment:

Exposure to bloodborne pathogens requiring the use of universal precautions and/or personal protective equipment.

Exposure to computers.

Disclaimer:

The above examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed in this position. The omission of specific statements or duties does not exclude them from this position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.