
Peer Engagement Specialist
Required skills
- crisis response
- on-call rotation
- community resources
- referral
- Mental Health Code
- Confidentiality Act
- agency policies
- mental health crisis
- substance abuse crisis
- community crisis
Nice to have
- engagement experience
- home visiting
- lived experience
- post-lived experience
- community resource experience
Role summary
The Engagement Specialist provides crisis response and support to individuals and families experiencing a crisis, working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Responsibilities include direct engagement, advocacy, follow-up, and community linkage to ensure crisis stability. The role requires responding to crises in various settings, working flexible hours, and maintaining knowledge of community resources and relevant laws. Collaboration with community partners and accurate documentation are essential. The position also involves transporting individuals and requires reliability and flexibility. A high school diploma is required, with preferred experience in engagement/home visiting and specific post-lived experience in mental health or substance abuse services.
The Engagement Specialist works as a team member, supporting the Crisis Care service team and individuals in the community experiencing a crisis. The team consists of Supervisors, Crisis directors, therapists, case managers, MHP, QMHP, and individuals in crisis.
The Engagement specialist will provide crisis response services, engage, advocate for, and support individuals and families during crises, and maintain a direct working relationship with them, including follow-up and community linkage to support crisis stability.
Job Duties Include:
- Provides crisis response during on-call rotation within the required response timeframe
- Response to the crisis will occur in person, by phone, in the office, or via video per approved service delivery by program and or supervisor
- Must be able and willing to work outside of regular office hours, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Requires demonstrated ability to work constructively with clients, other providers, and the community
- Requires knowledge of community resources for referral purposes
- Requires understanding and ability to put into practice the Mental Health Code and the Confidentiality Act
- Requires understanding and the ability to put into practice applicable agency policies and procedures
- Must be able to engage and work effectively with individuals involved in a mental health crisis, substance abuse crisis, or other identified community crisis
- Works cooperatively with other agencies, community partners (local law enforcement, hospitals, schools, etc). Must be able to interact professionally with court personnel, therapists, medical personnel, law enforcement, and all other professionals that may be encountered
- Works jointly with other disciplines to arrange services beyond the scope of practice for a peer engagement specialist
- Must be able to observe and submit accurate written documentation regarding any interaction, providing service
- Must be responsible, organized, personable, and be able to work independently
- Must be able and willing to transport individuals (adults and children) while following program safety guidelines
- Must be reliable and flexible to the program's needs
Qualifications
Education
- High school diploma / GED
Experience
- Engagement/home visiting experience desired
- Funder-required lived experience as a consumer of mental health or substance abuse services
- Funder-preferred 3 yrs post-lived experience
Other
- Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance
- Community resource experience preferred
- Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
- Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days, up to 6 paid Personal Days, up to 5 paid Sick days annually, and a Mental Health Day.
- Medical, dental, vision, 403b Retirement, flexible spending accounts, and health savings account.
- Agency paid life and ADD up to $50K based on salary
- Multiple Voluntary Supplemental plans for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
- Voluntary Legal Plans and Pet Insurance.
- The agency paid long-term disability and short-term disability.
- Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
- 800+ talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois and Florida
- Fiscally stable, $70 Million agency- strong since 1895
- Energetic leadership and a rich community of support
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