Peer Engagement Specialist

Purpose:  

Provide expertise from own personal experience in recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse to benefit the individuals served by helping promote a culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences. Encourage use of community resources and services. Act as a liaison between client and ACT staff. Articulate C4's mission and vision.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree required
2. Willingness to self-disclose your personal recovery experience from a mental illness and/or substance use for the purpose of consumer engagement. 
3. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) preferred
4. Knowledge of Recovery principles, clinical experience working with individuals living with chronic mental illness and co-occurring disorder.

Competencies (Minimum Skills, Knowledge, and Experience):

1. Ability to be respectful of the diverse cultures of the people served and to provide culturally appropriate, competent and individualized support according to each client's age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs and culture
2. Comfort with self-disclosure
3. Ability to use appropriate behavior management techniques
4. Understanding of personal and professional boundaries 
5. Time and stress management skills
6. Communication skills to include interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills
7. Conflict resolution and diplomacy skills
8. Computer literacy
9. Problem solving skills

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Actively identify and represent as a person in recovery. Clarify to clients the role of the Peer Support Specialist.

1. Provide advocacy for individuals who may need multiple services and require assistance in gaining access to mental health, substance use, social, vocational, educational, housing, public income entitlements and other community services.

1. Assist case manager by explaining purpose of linkage and reason for specific linkage recommendations.

1. Provide culturally appropriate, competent and comprehensive support in accordance with the individual’s age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs and culture.

1. Assist staff in developing policies and procedures by drawing from personal experience in recovery and personal interactions with providers.

1. Work cooperatively with other members of the treatment team including, but not limited to, security personnel, nurse, case manager, psychiatrist and ACT team members.

1. Maintain positive and mutually respectful relationships with members of the Chicago Police Department, other human service providers, entitlement agencies, health care vendors, and the community

1. Report to assigned supervisor and actively seek out consultation whenever necessary or requested by supervisor, including management of counter-transference

1. Adhere to confidentiality practices and procedures according to agency policies

1. Maintain compliance at all times with agency policies and procedures

1. Maintain or pursue formal certification as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist

1. Adhere to ethical policies

1. Other duties as assigned by supervisor