.6 Hamilton Co. Peer Support Specialist

Helen Ross McNabb Center; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Helen Ross McNabb Center seeks a .6 Hamilton Co. Peer Support Specialist to assist in the Peer Support Center and in the Hamilton County Jail MAT POD. You will lead recovery groups, provide WRAP planning, and support clients’ community reintegration.

The role requires lived experience with mental health or addiction services, a valid driver’s license, and a commitment to trauma‑informed care.

Qualifications

• Experience as a mental health or addiction peer advocate preferred.
• Ability to lead education, support, and wellness groups.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Peer Support Center shift.
• Lead WRAP, illness management, and recovery groups.
• Provide peer support in the jail MAT POD and arrange community referrals.

Skills

Peer support experience

Group facilitation

WRAP training

Transportation / driving

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Help Others, Make a Difference, Save a Life.

Do you want to make a difference in people's lives every day?
Or help people navigate the tough spots in their life?
And do it all while working where your hard work is appreciated?

You have a lot of choices in where you work…make the decision to work where you are valued!

Join the McNabb Center Team as the .6 Hamilton Co. Peer Support Specialist today!

The .6 Hamilton Co. Peer Support Specialist

Duties:

• The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for day-to-day shift management of the Peer Support Center.
• Conducts education, support, community service, and physical wellness groups in order to meet TDMHSAS scope of services.
• Responsible for transporting program participants to and from site activities and leading social recreational activities in the community.
• Additionally this staff member provides peers support to those individuals participating in the Hamilton County Jail MAT POD providing WRAP and Release plans for all who participate in the program.

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

Summary of role of team:

• The role of team, by virtue of the persons they serve, represent a place where the Centers vision is lived out on a day-to-day basis.
• The severe and persistently mentally ill (SPMI) population as well as co-occurring require the philosophy of recovery services to live up to this vision by reaching out to the SPMI, regardless of what situation they are in or where they are, and open a door of stability through mental health treatment.
• Staff members assist in ensuring that the consumer/natural support is able to access both cost effective and quality services.

Summary of position:

• The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day management of the Peer Support Center.
• Conducts education, support, community service and physical wellness groups in order to meet TDMHSAS scope of services.
• Works with the PSC Coordinator and health department trained peers to prepare and plan daily snacks and lunch one day a week. Introduce and teach key recovery concepts through Illness Management and Recovery Groups to include Team Solutions and WRAP.
• In addition, the Peer Support Specialist position is intended to provide hope for clients by having a support person who is or has been a primary consumer of mental health or addiction services and is willing to share their experiences and story with mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
• Additionally this staff provides peer support services to those participating in the Hamilton County Jail MAT POD providing WRAP and release planning.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

• This position is an office-based position. Staff members are provided with all equipment necessary to complete their job duties on-site in the Peer Support Center and in the Hamilton County Jail.
• This position is located at the Peer Support Center. Work will also be conducted at the Hamilton County Detention Facilility and in the community as needed for client care.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; and employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. Moreover, management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, or working schedules based on their duty to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Opening & Closing Duties

Assist in opening and closing the PSC each day.
Turn on/off all lighting.
Walk through building in evening to make sure secure (i.e., make sure members have left the building).

B. Group Facilitation & Activity Coordination

LIGHTHOUSE- PEER SUPPORT CENTER

Conduct education, support, and other structured activities in a timely manner in order to meet TDMHSAS scope of services.
Allow members to sign-up for activities on designated days; sign-in sheets to be kept and handled in office.
Turn in activity sheets to PSC Coordinator within one business day of event.
Ensure activities begin when scheduled on PSC calendar.
Announce activity to PSC members prior to its start.
Accommodate guest speakers (i.e., provide sign-in sheet, supplies, room arrangement).
Lead groups/activities as necessary.

HAMILTON COUNTY MAT POD

Provide on-site peer support services within the Hamilton County MAT POD program.
Facilitate and assist participants in developing individualized WRAP plans.
Participate in discharge planning including follow-up appointments, community linkage, recovery support referrals, and continuity-of-care needs.
?support participants in identifying natural supports, recovery goals, and community reintegration strategies.
Collaborate with correctional and re-entry staff to promote a treatment-focused and recovery-oriented environment.
Document services and participant progress in compliance with agency and program requirements.
Maintain safety, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and trauma-informed peer support practices within secure facility settings.
Attend required jail-based, MAT-related, and community partnership meetings, trainings, and supervision.

C. Member Engagement, Support, & Navigation

Motivate members to volunteer for chore list.
Provide support and referral to PSC members.
Resolve member conflict by practicing principles of HWC training.
Direct members to appropriate persons/resources as needed.
Ensure recovery atmosphere is provided by using the principles of WRAP and helping others develop WRAP plans.
Treat members of Lighthouse PSC with dignity and respect.
Treat visitors of Lighthouse PSC with dignity and respect.
Ensure PSC visitors sign in and receive visitor badge at arrival.
Ensure PSC visitors remain no longer than 30 minutes and are accompanied unless present for business or special event.

D. Food, Safety, & Facility Standards

Ensure chore list is completely filled prior to serving lunch or snack.
Sign-off on task checker and/or complete any undone chore before shift is over.
Ensure applicable health & safety codes are met for preparing, serving, and storing all food.
Work with coordinator and peers to prepare and plan daily snacks with food items planned for this specific use by cook and by following kitchen regulation/food prep standards.

Ensure members sign in membership log before leaving PSC lobby.
Ensure interested members arrive to PSC by 1:00 PM for lunch.
Ensure interested members sign up for activity before it begins.
Ensure interested members sign up for bus passes before receiving services.

F. Documentation & Communication

Complete end-of-shift paperwork daily.
Document shift report in PSC communication log.

G. Professional Conduct & Workplace Expectations

Work to maintain a positive public image.
Promote and maintain a positive work environment.
Model appropriate social behavior and mentor to members as evidenced by no substantiated member or staff report.
Address staffing issues with PSC Coordinator within 2 business days of event.
Attend team meetings every other week.

COMPENSATION:

• Starting salary for this position is approximately $17.93 /hr based on relevant experience and education.

Schedule:

• This position is dually housed at the center's Peer Support Center and Hamilton County Jail.
• The staff will coordinate shift coverage during the PSC operating hours of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 12:00pm.-5:00p.m.
• There is no on-call for this position.
• In-person attendance is essential for this position except in instances of approved time off.
• This position may be required to attend events outside of the standard schedule.

Travel:

• This position requires utilizing a personal dependable vehicle to conduct Center business.
• Maintaining a dependable vehicle and certified driver status is a condition of employment.
• An F Endorsement is required as staff members may be required to provide transportation in their personal or Center owned vehicle.
• Staff members are reimbursed for mileage for use of personal car with supervisor approval.
• This position may be required to travel to out of state conferences/meetings as applicable.

Equipment/Technical Competency:

• This position does require moderate level computer skills for timekeeping and scheduling and documenting in the centers electronic medical record.
• Additional experience with Microsoft Office Products (Word/Excel/Outlook) is required.

Equipment/Technology:

• This position requires moderate level computer skills for timekeeping and scheduling and experience with Microsoft Office Products (Word/Excel/Outlook).

Experience / Knowledge:

• Must be a primary mental health consumer with appropriate life experience and a desire to be a role model for recovery.
• Some experience in customer service helpful.
• Applicants should possess the ability to relate to individuals and families of varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, educational levels, and economic circumstances with respect and dignity.
• Excellent verbal, written, and computer skills are necessary in order to work effectively and collaboratively with clients, collaborating agencies, and community professionals, as well as maintaining proper documentation.

Education / License:

• Must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be/or become a Certified Peer Support Specialist as well as certifications in Wellness Recovery Action Plans.
• Staff must hold a valid driver's license and F endorsement.
• Requires annual approved access to the Hamilton County Jail.

Physical/Emotional/Social -Skills/Abilities:

• Minimal exposure to biological hazards.
• Hearing of normal and soft tones.
• Close eye work.
• Valid driver's license.
• Possess reliable transportation, the ability to acquire an F endorsement on driver's license, and transport clients.
• Lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Pushing/pulling up to 150 lbs., frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Required to be certified in, and effectively implement, verbal and physical de-escalation techniques that include a wide range of bodily movements; including but not limited to, grasping, holding another person, going down on knees, running, and walking.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.

Location:

Helen Ross McNabb Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Center 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Helen Ross McNabb Center conducts background checks, driver's license record, degree verification, and drug screens at hire; Employment is contingent upon clean drug screen, background check, and driving record; Additionally, certain programs are subject to TB Screening and/or testing. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.