Recovery Support Specialist- Living Room Program (PRN)

Recovery Support Specialist- Living Room Program (PRN)

Kenneth Young Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to individuals of all walks of life. Located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, we offer a wide range of services including outpatient therapeutic care, recovery-oriented support, community prevention, LGBTQ+ outreach, older adult services, and crisis intervention. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.   

Ken­neth Young Cen­ter offers a robust ben­e­fit pack­age that is high­ly com­pet­i­tive to the mar­ket and offers all full-time employ­ees the following: 

• 403(b) plan with orga­ni­za­tion­al matching   
• Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illi­nois - BCBS) 
• Den­tal (BCBS), and Vision Insur­ance (BCBS) with low employee premiums  
• Long Term and Short Term Dis­abil­i­ty (BCBS), no cost to employee     
• Flex­i­ble Spend­ing Account (with annu­al rollover)  
• Basic life insur­ance (50k) paid for by the organization and option for addi­tion­al vol­un­tary cov­er­age for self, spouse, or depen­dents (BCBS)   
• Incentive program with potential for quarterly bonuses  
• Opportunity for annual bonus and salary increase (discretionary based on annual KYC financial audit)  
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  

To fur­ther pro­mote an active and healthy work/ life bal­ance, KYC also offers a gen­er­ous amount of paid time off and staff holidays.  

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off (With increas­es based on seniority) 
• 8 Paid Orga­ni­za­­­tion-Wide Hol­i­days
• 3 Per­son­al Float­ing Hol­i­days annually

Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary Pay Rate:  $24.10 / hour for MHP. Increase of $1.00/hour for second shift and $2.00/hour for overnight shift. Additional increase for active CRSS credential.

Job Scope:  Actively contribute as a peer recovery support specialist (RSS) and/or a mental health professional (MHP) while working with other staff members in The Living Room, Mobile Crisis Response, and/or Drop-in Center programs at KYC. Duties and expectations would include crisis intervention, stabilization and program support for guests/clients accessing these services. This role would aid in creating a trauma-informed safe environment for guests/clients, provide ongoing support to individuals accessing services either in crisis, seeking stabilization, or as a part of their recovery journey, and providing risk screenings and safety planning as necessary for individuals in need.

• Shifts in Mobile Crisis Response will include both in-office shifts as well as on-call phone support and in-person mobilization as needed. Program operates 24/7.
• Shifts in The Living Room are in-person at the Living Room in Mt Prospect.  Shifts are 8-hours, all on-site, no driving required. Program operates 24/7.
• Shifts in the Drop-in Center are typically 6-hours and on-site at the Mt Prospect office, or in the community supporting group events.  Drop-In schedule operates 7 days a week, hours vary depending on day of week between 8am-9pm.

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Provide shift coverage as needed based on program needs.
• Engage and orient clients/guests to services in either The Living Room, Mobile Crisis Response, or Drop-in Center
• Engage with local First Responders to assist in providing a warm hand off of clients/guests.
• Assist supervisor to plan and implement activities.
• Responsible for facility set-up and maintenance.
• Responsible for travel assistance and transportation.
• For peer-trained staff, provide supportive peer counseling utilizing personal lived experience to establish a warm and empathic connection with clients and as needed, their families/significant others.
• For designated MHP staff, complete risk screenings and assessments as needed in accordance with trauma-informed approaches.
• Promote opportunities for clients to develop a personal safety plan.
• Assist in the development of personal Wellness Recovery Action Plans.
• Support safety of clients/guests and assist with important service linkages to resources desired by clients.

Administrative and Performance Requirements

• Be available and responsive to program managers when contacted regarding open shifts to inform if available for shift coverage or not.
• Assist with cleaning, operational, and immediate needs for continued program functioning.
• Complete forms for data collection, information for assessments, and other program requirements for documentation.
• Participate in supervision as directed.
• Participate in team and other agency meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor.
• Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, program policies and procedures.

Education, Experience and Other requirements

• Preferred Bachelors degree preferred from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline. Extensive work experience with less education will be considered.
• Preferred - Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification
• Preferred 1-2 of years experience working with individuals recovering from serious and persistent mental illness providing case management and community support and/or
• Preferred 1-2 years experience working in non-traditional community settings i.e.: Drop in, senior center, special recreation program
• Basic computer proficiency, knowledge of Word and Internet skills
• Preferred - valid IL Driver’s License, valid auto insurance, and access to a well maintained/insured vehicle.  Shifts limited to Living Room program without access to vehicle.

 Schedule:

• PRN, As Needed, Hourly, Non-exempt, up to 28 hrs/wk
• PRN employees do not have guaranteed shifts.
• PRN employees are not required to pick up any specific shifts offered; expectation to provide at least 1 shift per quarter and preference for at least 1 shift per month.
• Scheduling will be offered by the corresponding program managing supervisor and PRN employees can accept or decline as they are able. PRN employees expected to respond to requests.

Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer