Peer Support Specialist

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off

JOB SUMMARY


Reporting to the Program Services Manager, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will serve as a recovery and sustainability agent for clients/participants of CAFYs Victim Services, Counseling or Legal Programs who are survivors rebuilding after violence or trauma. The PSS sharing their lived experiences will provide and advocate for effective recovery-based services to aid in creating a stable environment for individuals and their families. The focus is improving daily living skills and offering support and sharing unique experience with recovery that allows the PSS to fully empathize and relate to the life experiences of program participant and offers hope and support in overcoming obstacles. Have lived experience and knowledge of the re-stabilizing, recovery process, signs and symptoms of health, family, mental health issues, and community resources that support independent living.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Work one-on-one with each participant to determine strengths and needs to develop and meet self-directed goals
• Utilize lived experience to help participants create their own individualized recovery plan.
• Assist participants in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve his/her goals of self-directed stability.
• Assist client in identifying and plugging into individual, family, self-help groups, community groups, faith based community groups to foster participants self-sufficiency.
• Work closely with Case Manager, Crisis Clinicians to collaborate continuity of care and other referrals to the community as needed.
• Assist participants with empowerment skills to improve coping techniques and self-help strategies
• Consult with direct supervisor regarding participants personal needs, behavior and service planning.
• Provide in-home visitation to support participants.
• Maintain a comprehensive and accurate written record of events that occur during visitations
• As appropriate, share their own story and how they tackled obstacles or challenges in their journey to help normalize participant experience.
• Manage a caseload of approximately 5-10 adults at any given time.
• Responsible for linking clients as they transition through the levels of care, ensuring that the individual plan is formulated and implemented
• Maintain healthy boundaries with program participants
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Peer Specialist certification is required but, if not available at the time of hire must be acquired within 6 months of employment with the agency.
• High School Diploma, at minimum, with at least two years in customer, social or a combination of social services or a combination of work-related experience; Or Associates degree with two years of work experience
• Preferred, Bachelors degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or other Behavioral Health Sciences, and at least one year of experience.
• Ability to prepare written reports; possess data entry skills, monitor and direct program activities; and ensure the safety and security of program operations.
• Develop effective working relationships with other staff, community partners, and individuals served at the program.
• Strong organization skills, problem-solving skills and judgment are desired.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the person served population, be self-motivated and able to motivate others,
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are a must due to the extensive collaboration and networking that is required in the field.
• The ability to multitasks and handle a non-traditional work environment.
• The ability to be a self-started and work independently with limited supervision at times.
• Must have a high level of compassion and respect for persons with special needs;
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point, G-Mail/Outlook Email, and other systems i.e. electronic time punches, electronic medical records etc.
• Ability to think independently and demonstrate good problem-solving skills
• Bilingual in any language a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, sit, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities and operate office equipment.
• Operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

EFFECT ON END RESULTS:

• Provides empathy and support to engage and encourage vulnerable clients
• Supports the clients access to support services
• In collaboration with the case management team, support development and implementation of a long-term plan including, self-advocacy, independence, sustainable housing and others resources to support the clients ability to maintain recovery from trauma and violence.

OTHER DUTIES


Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Types: Part-time or Contract
Pay: $18.00 - $22 per hour
Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Other specialties:

• Public or Social Health

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Thursday
• Fridays and weekends as needed