Location
Urbana, IL
End Date
Sep 15, 2026
Location
Urbana, IL
End Date
2026-09-15
Job description
Position Overview:
The Living Room Project is a 24/7 peer-led space to provide voluntary support and care for community members in crisis. Peer Support Workers draw on their own mental health or substance use recovery experiences to provide compassionate, non-clinical support. Through shared experiences and established peer support methods, they help others find hope, build resilience, pursue recovery goals, and foster independence and community engagement.
Cunningham Township is a public office led by elected Supervisor Danielle Chynoweth that assists residents facing housing insecurity and homelessness, unemployment, disability, and food insecurity. Our diverse team is dedicated to advocating for and with our neighbors in need, guided by the principles of social justice, equity, cooperation, and love.
Essential Duties:
- Establish trusting, respectful, and recovery-focused relationships with individuals receiving services.
- Provide individual and group peer support, using personal experience to inspire hope and recovery.
- Must be able to de-escalate, self regulate, hold boundaries, and bring in additional support as needed.
- Encourage self-advocacy, empowerment, and personal responsibility.
- Model healthy coping strategies, recovery principles, and wellness practices.
- Support individuals in crisis using trauma-informed, recovery-focused approaches.
- Promote person-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services.
- Empower individuals to advocate for their needs and preferences.
- Complete required documentation accurately and within established timelines.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable privacy laws and organizational policies.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Communicate clearly with clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Maintain professional boundaries and comply with the Code of Ethics for Peer Support Professionals.
- Participate in required supervision, training, and continuing education.
- Participate in outreach and engagement activities.
- Help facilitate peer-led groups and educational workshops.
- Attend agency meetings and required training sessions. Perform other duties as assigned that support the organization's mission
- Other duties as assigned
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Postsecondary coursework in behavioral health, psychology, social work, human services, or a related field is preferred.
- CPR and First Aid certification preferred.
- A valid driver's license and reliable transportation may be required, depending on the position's responsibilities.
- Lived experience with mental health recovery, substance use recovery, or co-occurring recovery is required.
- Experience working within behavioral health, crisis services, homelessness services, social services, recovery programs, or community-based organizations is preferred.
- Preference will be given to candidates with experience facilitating peer groups or mentoring others
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Ability to establish healthy professional boundaries.
- Knowledge of recovery-oriented systems of care.
- Understanding of trauma-informed care principles.
- Familiarity with community resources and referral processes.
- Basic computer proficiency, including electronic documentation and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
- Ability to maintain confidential records and comply with organizational policies.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Cunningham Township offers a generous benefit package including 16 paid holidays, 26 paid days off, pension retirement program, 100% health coverage, professional development, and employee wellness fund.
- Work is performed in-person at The Living Room, a home-like peer-led space.
- The Living Room is open 24/7 days, 365 days a year.
- Some evening and weekend work is required.
- CTSO is committed to employee health and a healthy work/life/family balance.