Recovery Support Specialist

Position Overview

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) is responsible for providing recovery-oriented support services to individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and behavioral health challenges. The RSS utilizes lived experience, recovery principles, and peer support strategies to help individuals build stability, develop coping skills, and connect to community resources.

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) is responsible for providing recovery-oriented support services to individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and behavioral health challenges. The RSS utilizes lived experience, recovery principles, and peer support strategies to help individuals build stability, develop coping skills, and connect to community resources.

Services are primarily delivered in community settings including clients’ homes, shelters, and community locations. The RSS works closely with case managers and other HCST staff to support individuals in achieving housing stability, recovery goals, and increased independence.

$36,500-$47,500

Joliet, IL

Full-time;
Variable weekday; 2 evening shifts per week

Program Coordinator

Network 9

• Provide recovery-focused peer support and engagement to individuals served through HCST programs
• Share lived experience in a professional manner to promote hope and recovery
• Assist individuals with service and wellness planning
• Support clients in developing coping skills, daily living skills, and recovery strategies
• Conduct outreach and community engagement to connect individuals to services
• Assist individuals in accessing community resources including housing, medical care, employment, and behavioral health services, which may include providing transportation
• Facilitate or assist with recovery-focused groups and activities
• Attend required team meetings, supervision, and program trainings
• Complete required documentation and progress notes in accordance with agency and program guidelines
• Collaborate with the HCST team to coordinate services and support housing stability

• Strong empathy, active listening, and communication skills with an ability to build trust and rapport.
• Ability to engage and support individuals with diverse backgrounds and complex needs.
• Skilled in facilitating group discussions and peer-led recovery or support groups.
• Knowledge of community resources and services related to mental health, substance use, and recovery.
• Comfortable using technology to complete documentation, communicate with team members, and access resources.
• Capacity to remain calm and supportive in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries while maintaining a peer-centered approach.
• Non-judgmental mindset and commitment to promoting hope, recovery, and empowerment.

• Be able to lift over 40 pounds from floor to waist unassisted
• Be able to push and pull 75 pounds
• Be able to complete deep knee squats
• Be able to push wheelchairs up to 200 pounds
• Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Operate motor vehicles
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Physical activities that could be used include: driving, balancing, pulling, pushing, standing, climbing, grasping, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion.

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Lived experience with recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges preferred
• Ability…