At Ecker Center for Behavioral Health, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment in which our employee team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. At Ecker, we firmly believe in the significance and positive impact of our work, demonstrating dedication and a compassionate approach, where treatment is carefully planned and customized for each client based on their individual needs and strengths. Our collective ethos extends to caring for the well-being of each of our team members. Together, our staff is fostering a warm and inclusive organizational culture that embraces individual perspectives, encouraging active participation, and open feedback to facilitate ongoing improvement.
As a trusted behavioral health organization committed to providing care in the community since 1955, we offer an array of comprehensive services for youth, adolescents, and adults. Our Assertive Community Treatment program is short term assistance aimed at helping clients stay on track to reach their goals while staying in the community.
Job Scope: The ACT Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) provides community-based peer support services to adults with serious mental illness within the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. This role brings the unique value of lived experience to foster hope and connection, while supporting client independence, recovery planning, and engagement with services. As an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, the CRSS contributes to shared decision-making, helps reduce barriers to care, and promotes a recovery-oriented system through authentic relationships, community navigation, and advocacy.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide peer support services as a member of the ACT team, using lived experience with mental health recovery to promote hope, empowerment, and client self-determination
- Deliver trauma-informed, recovery-oriented services including support, mentoring, and system navigation
- Dedicate a minimum of 50% of work time to direct services, with at least 75% conducted in the community (e.g., homes, shelters, public settings)
- Connect clients to natural supports, housing, public benefits, and recovery resources to foster long-term community integration
- Support the development of daily living skills and independence, including budgeting, meal preparation, transportation, and self-advocacy
- Model healthy coping strategies, self-help tools, and wellness practices (e.g., WRAP plans)
- Serve as a role model and resource to agency staff pursuing CRSS certification and contribute to peer services development
- Encourage and support clients in self-directed recovery planning and goal setting
- Provide advocacy and stabilization support as needed to promote client engagement and community tenure
- Participate actively in daily ACT team meetings, offering a peer-informed perspective in team planning
- Maintain high-quality, strengths-based documentation submitted within 48 hours of service
- Attend all required trainings and meetings; maintain CRSS credentials and required immunizations
- Participate in flexible scheduling, including occasional after-hours work, based on client and program needs
- Perform other relevant duties as assigned to support the ACT team and client recovery
Performance Requirements
- Demonstrate knowledge of documentation standards and capacity to meet documentation expectations.
- Ability to encourage patients to participate in individual sessions.
- Ability to assess, interpret and integrate both verbal and non-verbal client input during sessions.
- Ability to clinically “listen” during session.
- Ability to establish rapport with patients and interact constructively with others in the workplace.
- Ability to focus client on individualized treatment plan and goals.
- Give information in a clear and understandable fashion and respond constructively to appropriate client questions and concerns.
- Knowledge of human development across the life cycle, as applicable to the clinical population served.
Education and Experience
- Recovery Support Specialists (RSS) draw on their own life experiences to help others develop and maintain their recovery from substance abuse disorders, mental health disorders, or dual diagnoses
- CRSS certification (required within one year of hire)
- Knowledge of recovery principles, peer support ethics, and service coordination
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule as needed to meet client needs
- Flexibility in schedule, including ability to provide services outside standard business hours
- Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance and automobile and a willingness to routinely transport clients
- Ability to administer CPR
Schedule
- Sunday – Wednesday, 9am – 6:15pm (35 hours a week).
- Must be willing work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the program and target population served, including rotating after-hours crisis support.
Ecker Center for Behavioral Health offers a hearty benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:
- 403(b) plan with organizational contributions of 2% to 7%, based on length of service
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Tuition reimbursement plus many other training opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program – face to face counseling sessions, resources for work/life, life coaching, financial, medical advocacy, and more
- Extended sick and disability leave
- Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, Ecker Center also offers a generous amount of paid time off.
- 2 – 4 weeks of vacation, based on length of service
- 9 Holidays
- 8 Personal days
- 8 Sick days
Ecker Center for Behavioral health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has an opportunity to succeed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,950.00 - $48,302.80 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you willing to become a Certified Recovery Support Specialist within 12 months of hire if you don't have the certification?
- Are you able to work the hours as posted? (Sunday – Wednesday, 9am – 6:15pm (35 hours a week))
Work Location: In person
