NAMI McHenry County·Crystal Lake, Illinois
Provide non-clinical peer and crisis support to individuals with severe mental illness in a living room and drop-in center setting. Facilitate support groups, teach classes, and collaborate with community partners to promote recovery and reduce stigma.
Recovery Support Specialist-SUB - AMPM shifts available Location: McHenry County Living Room Program/Drop in Center Reports To: Director of Recovery Support Services Status: SUB, hourly role, PRN open shift hours at LR (7:30am-4:00pm, and 4:00pm-12:00am, Open Daily). The Drop-In-Center open shifts (12:00pm-8:30pm, M-F).
$18 - 24 / hour, depending on experience
NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI McHenry County is a local affiliate of NAMI. Our mission is to give our community a safe place to find hope and support on the journey to improve mental health.
The Recovery Support Specialist SUB is an individual that has a flexible schedule and can come in to cover shifts as needed to ensure coverage at both our programs. This individual should be living well in recovery and willing to utilize their own lived experience to provide non-clinical peer support, crisis support, promote recovery, educate against stigma, and help instill a sense of hope in those we serve. The Recovery Support Specialist will work within the Recovery Support team to provide one-on-one peer support on-site in our Living Room Program crisis center and or drop-in center, facilitate support groups, teach classes, staff recovery events, and collaborate with partners across the community for safety. The Recovery Support Specialist SUB is expected to have their Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification or complete their certification within one year of hire. This certification includes an agreement to disclose personal experience as a recipient of mental health or dual diagnosis services, enabling the staff to serve as a "peer support." The Recovery Support Specialist is expected to work one on one with individuals with severe mental illness and individuals experiencing a severe mental health crisis. The Recovery Support Specialist will be trained to facilitate multiple NAMI programs in their first year, including support group facilitation. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator and will be confident in working with individuals both one-on-one and in groups. The Recovery Support Specialist will work with the Recovery Support team to further the organization's efforts to reach underserved communities in McHenry County, especially individuals with limited English proficiency. The Specialist must be able to work with diverse populations and have a passion for reaching all corners of McHenry County. In order to complete this job well, the Specialist must be very comfortable with technology, and have the ability to quickly learn new systems, such as an electronic health record (EHR) system to track client data and notes. The Specialist should have a thorough understanding of MS Office/G Suite products. The Specialist should also be a self-starter and be comfortable working both independently and within a team environment. As NAMI continues to grow rapidly, the Recovery Support Specialist should be excited about having a say in the future of the organization. We work within a collaborative leadership model, meaning that everyone is expected to come to the table with ideas to improve our organization.
This role is in-person, based out of our Crystal Lake Office.
The hours for this position can vary based on the needs of the Recovery Program's.
Shift hours at the Drop-In-Center are 12pm - 8:30pm, Monday through Friday, at the Living Room shifts are open 7 days a week.
The a.m. shift is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00pm, the p.m. shift is 3:30 p.m to Midnight.
This position has no guaranteed hours.
This position will mostly fill in for call offs and scheduled paid time off of regular staff.
Recovery Support Assists participants in identifying strengths, recovery and wellness goals, and barriers; and determining recovery and wellness interventions based on his or her life goals Works one on one providing peer support with individuals experiencing a severe mental health crisis. Assist caregivers to maintain the wellness of their own mental health Aid caregivers in actions to take for their loved one living with a mental health condition Leads and encourages participants to facilitate recovery dialogues Utilizes and encourages techniques for problem solving, identifying and combating negative self- talk, identifying and overcoming fears in both one-on-one and group settings Promotes use of self-directed recovery tools and encourages clinical treatment Supports participants in building social skills Works with local law enforcement, specialty courts, schools and other community-based services in identifying safety collaborations that are vital to recovery and family advocacy Support Groups & Events Facilitate weekly support groups for individuals living with a mental illness and/or family members supporting someone with a mental illness Follow-up with group members after group has ended Ensure group members are connected with services in the community Work with the Recovery Support team to staff other workshops and community events as needed Apply Unique Recovery Experience Ability to self-disclose and appropriately share personal story of recovery Models effective coping techniques, self-help strategies, and self-care as an ambassador of mental health recovery Utilizes personal experiences to facilitate and support the care, encouragement, and education of those caring for family members or loved ones who have a mental health condition Other duties as assigned
Education/Experience Obtained or are working towards the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential through the state of Illinois High School Diploma or G.E.D. required Certifications as a facilitator in relevant programs preferred, or be willing to complete within one year of hire 2+ years of relevant experience preferred, including volunteer and internship opportunities Proficient in Microsoft Office Bilingual in Spanish is strongly preferred Applicants must pass a background check and driver's check that meets the State of Illinois requirements Must be willing to self-disclose personal experience as a recipient of mental health or dual diagnosis services Interpersonal A people-person with strong communication skills Experience working with diverse populations Must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to all individuals Demonstrates warmth, insight, interest, and respect for people with mental health conditions Acts within ethical standards and demonstrates healthy boundaries Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their team and the entire agency Able to communicate effectively (oral and written) with clients, staff, and external stakeholders Ability to multi task and adhere to timelines set forth for quality management Ability to advocate for, motivate, and empower others Physical Abilities Ability to read, write, and communicate in English. Ability to lift and/or move at least 10 pounds using proper body mechanics. Visual acuity to read a computer screen and other documents. Ability to utilize the telephone and respond to callers. Benefits for SUB Employees: Relaxed dress code at the discretion of your supervisor Ongoing training opportunities sponsored by NAMI McHenry County An amazing mission and culture! Flexible schedule To apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to Matthew (matthew@namimch.org) with the subject line "Recovery Support Specialist SUB"
Requires a high school diploma and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential or the ability to obtain it within one year. Candidates must be willing to self-disclose their lived experience with mental health or dual diagnosis services.
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.
