Kenneth Young Center·Mount Prospect, Illinois
Provide peer support and recovery-focused advocacy for individuals with mental illness and disabilities at a community drop-in center. Coordinate leisure activities and identify risks to refer members to formal clinical services.
Actively contribute as a peer support counselor to offer a community based, member driven drop-in center that offers recovery focused support, advocacy, leisure and enrichment activities to persons living with mental illness and disabilities who desire to engage fully in community life. Drop-in staff members provide and coordinate a range of activities aimed at engaging and motivating members living independently in the Northwest Suburbs. The drop-in center will be open at flexible times that meet member identified social, interpersonal, and educational/informational needs that improve their level of community integration, stability, and personal satisfaction. The drop-in staff will also serve as early identifiers of risk or instability in members and be able to intervene and encourage members self-refer or take actions to refer members to more formal clinical services I. Primary Responsibilities A. Program Operations 1. Engage drop in members in actively using the center to increase level of community integration. 2. Assist peer support supervisor to plan and implement drop-in center activities 3. Responsible for travel assistance and transportation 4. Participate in Kenneth Young Center Mount Prospect Drop-in Member Advisory Council 5. Provide supportive peer counseling utilizing personal experience to establish a warm and empathic connection with members and as needed, their families/significant others 6. Facilitate leisure group activities 7. Promote opportunities for clients to build natural systems of support within their communities through exposure to recreational, spiritual, educational, vocational, volunteer and civic activities 8. Work with members to develop personal Wellness Action Recovery Plans 9. Regularly consult with other Team members including Community Support Team, Employment services, ACT, and IRG, to address specific member issues and coordinate care strategies 10. Work cooperatively with other Center teams/staff to maintain smooth transitions and effective continuity of care B. Administrative and Performance Requirements 1. Assist in development and maintenance of local community resources and groups (NAMI, AA etc.). Recovery literature, on-line materials/websites to support members 2. Participate in supervision as directed 3. Participate in team and other agency meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor 4. Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, Center policies and procedures II. General Competencies A. Promote positive image of KYC with all contacts (customers) B. Exhibit high quality work C. Be a productive member of the staff D. Demonstrate cooperation E. Take the initiative to act on own F. Use excellent judgment G. Communicate clearly and respectfully H. Make use of supervision I. Contribute to development of a culture of care III. Core Competencies A. Ability to effectively engage and motivate members to participate in activities offered at Drop In B. Ability to refer clients to appropriate services and help coordinate care C. Act honestly and ethically in all member interactions D. Ability to effectively work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and encourage building of natural community support IV. Special Competencies A. Show awareness of issues affecting adults with chronic mental illness B. Skill in the use of motivational interviewing and engaging clients in self directed care C. Demonstrate a working knowledge of community resources that enhance recovery D. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification or (course work completed and able to obtain certification within 12 months of hire) E. If recovery correlates to substance use, they must have two years of demonstrated sobriety. F. Requires significant personal experience with the mental health system as a primary consumer of services. V. Clinical Competencies A. Has ability to effectively engage guests in care B. Has ability to effectively use personal lived experience to support clients in their recovery VI. Education, Experience and Other requirements A. Preferred Bachelors from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification or (course work completed and able to obtain certification within 12 months of hire). Equivocal experience to a Bachelor's in one of these helping professions will also be considered." B. C. 1-2 of years’ experience working with individuals recovering from serious and persistent mental illness providing case management and community support preferred D. 1 year experience working in non-traditional community settings i.e.: Drop in, senior center, special recreation program E. Basic computer proficiency, knowledge of Word and Internet skills F. Applicant must have a valid IL Driver’s License, valid auto insurance, and access to a well maintained/insured vehicle VII. Work Environment A. This job operates primarily in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. VIII. Physical Demands A. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. B. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, use eyes to see and scan the environment C. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; bend or stoop as necessary. D. Employee is occasionally required to carry, move, or transport health records or other objects weighing as much as 25lbs while conducting group and individual therapy sessions. IX. Travel A. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather and road conditions. B. The employee is required to drive the KYC owned passenger van to and from client homes and to various sites in the community and surrounding areas. C. Employee may also be required to attend occasional meetings/trainings in and around KYC’s catchment area. X. Chain of Authority A. Reports to Drop-In Center Peer Support Supervisor XI. Schedule/Timekeeping A. Full-time, Hourly, Non-exempt, 37.5 hours per week B. Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the target population served, including evening and/or weekend hours. C. Timekeeping – Accurately record hours worked in the electronic timekeeping system (on a daily basis when possible) in accordance with the timekeeping policy and practice. Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Requires significant personal lived experience with the mental health system and a CRSS certification or the ability to obtain it within 12 months. A bachelor's degree in social work or psychology and a valid driver's license are preferred.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Illinois often draw steady interest because employers look for licensed or graduate-prepared candidates who can work in clinical, community, or care-coordination settings. This role is competitive because the required background is specific—either a master’s degree in a human services field or an active Illinois RN license, with behavioral health experience preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your licensure, degree, and setting experience before applying.
