Peer Support​/Engagement Specialist PM

Peer Support Engagement Specialist

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Your skills, experience, and passion are needed on our team. We are looking for a new team member to join us at our new Crisis Recovery Center, located in Wheaton. This is an exciting opportunity to part of the expanding crisis services at the DuPage County Health Department!

Located in our new Crisis Recovery Center on the DuPage County Campus in Wheaton, Crisis Services provides 24/7 crisis mental health services to county residents experiencing psychiatric crises or needing support for mental illness symptoms. Our team delivers top-notch care with rapid response times.

We are looking for a new team member to join us working as a Peer Support Engagement Specialist on our second shift, Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This position requires use of an automobile as the incumbent travels within the community. Salary may increase based on experience and receipt of CRSS certification. We offer an additional $2.00 per hour shift differential for working on our second shift.

This position offers a full DuPage County benefit package, including: 12 paid holidays, 12 Weeks of paid Parental Leave, 12 Day of paid vacation, 5 paid personal days and accrued paid sick leave. We also offer a great Health insurance package. This is a Pension-eligible position for a secure retirement; we offer tuition reimbursement and Student Loan forgiveness.

• Responds in the community and on-site to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis as a member of a two-person response team.
• Assists in de-escalation of clients experiencing a mental health crisis through engagement with clients and coordination with team members providing clinical intervention.
• Establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with the individual experiencing the crisis throughout all Crisis Programs.
• Willingness to self-disclose personal lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery (or both) for the benefit of supporting the individuals' receiving services.
• Role model positive recovery behaviors with clients in Crisis Programs.
• Provides skill building and case management to clients with high need.
• Maintains required training, licensure and/or certification.
• Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic groups and cultures.
• Adheres to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
• Completion of required documentation within established time frames, through use of an Electronic Client Record
• Participates in team meetings to assess clients' progress.
• Participates in emergency response activities as assigned.

Two years of experience in the behavioral health field, including active participation in the recovery process; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. This role requires you to have a valid driver's license, along with your own personal vehicle that is reliable to drive while working in this role. Must have availability to attend our on-site HR New Hire Orientation and as well as on the job training during the day shift, generally from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Position requires individual with lived recovery experience and will need to obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within one year of hire. The CRSS is a credential for those who provide mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental illness and substance use recovery support to others. A person with the CRSS credential uses unique insights gained through personal recovery experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer DuPage County Health Department is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.