Peer Support Specialist

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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.

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.

Position Requirements

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Shift -not applicable-

Position Peer Support Specialist

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

Location Morris Building & Technology Center

About the Organization

At North Central Behavioral Health Systems, we believe every child, adult and family deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. As a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that's been serving North Central and West Central Illinois for over 40 years, we deliver a wide range of behavioral-health services, from counseling and medication-assisted treatment to wellness, prevention, and intensive outpatient programs. With national accreditation through the The Joint Commission and a sliding-scale policy that supports access for all, we're committed to making high-quality mental-health and substance-use services accessible, compassionate and locally rooted.

This position is currently accepting applications.