Description
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (Peer Support) – ACT Team
Location: Chicago, IL (Ravenswood)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Assistant Director-ACT
Make Your Lived Experience Count—Help Others Recover
Envision Unlimited is hiring a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (Peer Support) to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. This role is ideal for someone in mental health recovery who wants to support others using their lived experience.
As a Peer Support Specialist, you will help adults with serious mental illness regain independence and stability by providing recovery-oriented support, assisting in developing individualized treatment and crisis plans, and connecting people to housing, benefits, and wellness resources.
What You'll Do:
As a key member of our interdisciplinary ACT team, you will:
- Use your own recovery experience to support, mentor, and empower adults with serious mental illness as they work toward their goals.
- Provide person-centered, strengths-based community support in real-world settings—homes, neighborhoods, and beyond.
- Support clients in building skills for independent living, accessing resources, managing symptoms, and regaining hope.
- Assist in crisis support, safety planning, and de-escalation interventions with compassion and empathy.
- Champion client choice, self-advocacy, and recovery at every step—while maintaining accurate documentation and achieving productivity goals.
Why This Role Matters:
This isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. As a Peer Support Specialist, you will directly impact outcomes by:
- Increasing engagement and reducing hospitalizations through early intervention.
- Helping clients transition from crisis to stability with dignity.
- Building community connection and self-reliance among people who often feel isolated or overwhelmed.
Bonus if you have:
- Previous experience with ACT, case management, or crisis intervention.
- Comfort navigating technology (email, Microsoft Word, electronic health records).
- Familiarity with Medicaid billing and productivity standards (we’ll train you!).
Benefits Include:
- Paid training and continuing education opportunities
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Mileage reimbursement
- Supportive team environment that values your lived experience
Requirements
What You Bring:
- Lived experience with mental health recovery and willingness to share that experience to support others.
- High School Diploma or GED required; must obtain the CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) credential within 12 months of hire.
- At least 1 year of experience in the behavioral health or social service field.
- Valid driver's license and ability to drive agency vehicles.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Passion for advocacy, recovery, and peer mentorship.
Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base Salary: $40,000 per year + additional quarterly productivity bonuses
- Paid Time Off: 11 Vacation days, 12 Holidays days, 3 sick days, 3 personal days
- Illinois Paid Leave: 40 hours (accrued)
- Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement: 403(b) plan
Additional Benefits:
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Mileage reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
- Cell phone reimbursement (or use of company phone)
- Free clinical supervision for licensure (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
- Reimbursement for professional licensure and renewal fees
- Include boutiques of voluntary benefits.
- Annual tuition assistance.
Skills Required
- Lived experience with mental health recovery and willingness to share that experience
- High School Diploma or GED
- Obtain CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) credential within 12 months of hire
- At least 1 year of experience in the behavioral health or social service field
- Valid driver's license and ability to drive agency vehicles
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Passion for advocacy, recovery, and peer mentorship
- Previous experience with ACT, case management, or crisis intervention
- Comfort navigating technology (email, Microsoft Word, electronic health records)
- Familiarity with Medicaid billing and productivity standards
What We Do
Envision Unlimited is a full spectrum of care organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges from infants to senior citizens. Their mission is to provide quality services that promote choice, independence, and inclusion. Innovative services include community living options, day programs, employment, respite, mental health services, and specialized foster care for children with disabilities.
