Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc·Chicago, Illinois
Provide emotional support, advocacy, and recovery coaching to individuals in behavioral health crises. Serve as a bridge between clients and clinical staff while helping individuals navigate community support systems.
The Peer Support Specialist will provide emotional support and empathy, advocate for least restrictive environment, help individuals deescalate themselves, promote engagement with community supports, serve as a role model, hope-filled engagement and support to individuals in crisis, assist individuals in advocating for their choices, needs, and rights, serve as a bridge between individuals and clinical staff, and provide resources and guidance to help individuals navigate behavioral health and community support systems.
This position requires work on-site and off-site in the community. This position is open to daytime (8am – 4pm) evening (4pm – 12am), nights (12am – 8am) and weekends. This is not a hybrid position.
Reports To: Crisis Continuum of Care Manager
Supervises (Position Title): None
High School Diploma or GED.
Has individual lived experience, or experience as a caregiver of a child, with behavioral health needs.
Minimum of 2–4 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations, community mental health, human services, social services, or a related field.
Must obtain CRSS certification within 1 year of hire.
Must be at least 21years of age and hold a valid Driver’s License.
Ability to conceptualize and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are performed in a typical office environment. No unusual or adverse working conditions exist.
This description documents the general contents and requirements of the job.
It is not to be construed as an exhausted statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
The principal duties and responsibilities shown are all essential job functions except for those indicated with an asterisk (*).
The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Requires a High School Diploma or GED, lived experience with behavioral health needs, and 2-4 years of experience in human or social services. Must possess a valid driver's license and obtain CRSS certification within one year of hire.
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.
