Recovery Support Specialist, Crisis Respite

Recovery Support Specialist - Decatur, Illinois

Salary:

High School or GED: $18.00/hour + every other Friday off paid for wellness

Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS): $23.00/hour + every other Friday off paid for wellness

Shift Differential: $2.00/hour for 2^nd and 3^rd shift

Salary range is based on education, experience, and certification

Schedule: Full-Time - 3rd shift or 1st shift part time weekend hours.

About the program

The Living Room is a voluntary, community-based crisis respite program offering a welcoming alternative to emergency department visits for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. In a calm, home-like environment, guests find a space to stabilize, be heard, and reconnect with hope - supported by a team that understands the recovery journey from the inside out. Lived experience is not just welcomed here; it is central to how we provide care.

Position summary

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) draws on their own lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery to provide authentic, peer-based support to guests of The Living Room. Working alongside clinical staff, the RSS helps guests feel safe, understood, and empowered - offering hope, connection, and practical assistance as they navigate a moment of crisis toward stability. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about using their story to make a difference in the lives of others.

Certification pathway

Candidates who do not yet hold a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential must be able to obtain certification within 18 months of hire. The agency will support eligible staff in meeting education and supervision requirements toward the CRSS.

Key responsibilities

Peer support & engagement

• Provide intentional peer support by sharing lived experience in a purposeful, boundaried, and recovery-oriented way
• Welcome and engage guests upon arrival, helping to reduce distress and foster a sense of safety in the respite environment
• Model and reinforce hope, self-determination, and the possibility of recovery
• Offer companionship and emotional support during a guest's time in The Living Room

Coping skills & wellness

• Support guests in identifying and practicing personal coping strategies and self-care tools
• Introduce wellness and recovery-oriented frameworks such as WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
• Assist guests in building or revisiting their personal crisis plans and identifying early warning signs
• Facilitate skill-based activities and conversations that promote grounding and stability

Community linkage & navigation

• Help guests identify and connect with community resources including peer-run programs, mutual aid networks, housing supports, and social services
• Accompany or assist guests in taking concrete steps toward accessing services when needed
• Maintain knowledge of local recovery resources and community-based supports

Team collaboration & documentation

• Collaborate closely with Crisis Respite Specialists and clinical staff to support each guest's care plan and transition needs
• Communicate observations about guest needs, strengths, and progress to the broader team
• Complete timely and accurate documentation in the agency's electronic health record
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing training

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Personal lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery - this is a fundamental qualification for the role
• Ability to obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within 18 months of hire
• Commitment to the values of recovery, self-determination, and peer support
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage individuals in emotional distress with empathy and calm
• Willingness to work in a team-based environment alongside clinical and non-clinical staff

Preferred

• Current Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
• Prior experience in peer support, crisis respite, or behavioral health setting
• Familiarity with WRAP, motivational interviewing, or other recovery-oriented frameworks
• Knowledge of local community resources and social service systems
• Experience facilitating peer support or wellness activities

Work environment & expectations

The Living Room operates on the principles of peer support: mutuality, respect, shared humanity, and hope. Recovery Support Specialists are expected to maintain clear professional boundaries while bringing their authentic selves to their work. Staff will regularly engage with guests in varying states of distress and must demonstrate the capacity to provide grounded, non-judgmental presence. Ongoing supervision and professional development are provided to support staff wellness and growth.