Certified Peer Specialist: Housing Support

Fountain House; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Fountain House is launching the YACHT program in the Bronx to support 25 Young Adults (18-25) in scattered-site housing, with in-home support and engagement through Clubhouse programs in NYC. The YACHT Certified Peer Specialist delivers peer support and direct care across housing, community engagement, and recovery-oriented services.

Full-time role, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, offering an hourly wage of $24.68.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• NYS Peer Certification or NYCRPA certification required to maintain status.
• Lived experience with disability and/or mental health challenges; willingness to use this experience to support recovery.
• 1+ year of professional experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct Support: assist residents with social services, accompany to appointments, support housing stability, move-ins/move-outs, connect to resources, and use lived experience to engage residents.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Travel flexibility

Work under pressure

Diversity sensitivity

Education

High School Diploma or GED

NYS Peer Certification (Provisional or Full)

NY Certified Peer Recovery Advocate Certification

Job description

Description

About Fountain House

Fountain House has a new Young Adult Community Housing Team (YACHT) that supports 25 Young Adults (YA 18-25 years old) living in scattered-site, individual apartments in the Bronx. We offer two different program types: Community Apartment Program and Supported Apartment Program. Each program provides in-home support for residents living on their own along with supporting goals aligned with a service plan. Our program is run alongside our Clubhouse programs in Manhattan, the Bronx and in Harlem – we offer membership to our Clubhouse and community programming for residents to build skills and socialize. There is an extensive and broad range of services provided to residents that include but are not limited to the improvement of daily living skills, managing finances, maintaining safe and living conditions, furthering one’s education, obtaining employment, achieving personal recovery and/or resilience, improving interpersonal relationships, preventing social isolation, connecting with effective and comprehensive behavioral health and primary care, and full community integration. The YACHT Certified Peer Specialist is responsible for delivering Peer Support as well as the other direct care services offered within the YACHT program.

The YACHT Certified Peer Specialist is responsible for ensuring members receive person-centered, trauma-informed and culturally competent services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus in their homes or their community. This role is responsible for facilitating the utilization of natural resources and the enhancement of recovery-oriented principles with the intention to assist individuals with initiating recovery, maintaining health and wellness, and enhancing the quality of personal life for long-term recovery.

Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

$24.68 per hour

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Support

• Support residents applications and appointments to gain and utilize social services and benefits as needed, including but not limited to social security, HRA, SNAP, Social Care Network, Housing Applications etc.
• Escort clients to appointments as needed (i.e. medical, psychiatric, Social Security Administration, Public Assistance, and Emergency Room, etc.)
• Help residents develop skills for maintaining their housing, such as budgeting, meal planning, and household management.
• Aid with resident move-ins and move-outs
• Support Social Care Network surveys and resource connections
• Strategically use their own lived experience to inspire and engage residents in their recovery

Community Engagement:

• Plan and facilitate community activities, workshops, and social outings to encourage skill building as well as connection among YACHT residents
• Help connect YACHT residents to the broader Fountain House Community, including our 3 NYC Clubhouses and our YA programs
• Help individuals connect with peer and community support networks

Crisis Intervention:

• Provide support during crises, helping individuals navigate challenging situations, and access appropriate resources.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Complete accurate documentation of support provided within 24-48 hours a service is provided.
• Participate in the facilitation of fire drills as needed
• Attend all meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, and case conferences as assigned and required

Advocacy:

• Advocate for clients' needs, connect them with resources like healthcare and social services.
• Complete tasks and special projects as assigned by Program Director related to the ongoing growth and evolution of our new housing program

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Medicaid, Social Security, and other entitlement systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Ability and willingness to regularly travel using public transportation throughout the boroughs and have flexibility in hourly/weekly schedule.
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing excellent support
• Must be able to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and exercise sensitivity in all interpersonal interactions
• Ability to work independently and to conduct assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• Knowledge of Social Practice or the clubhouse model is a bonus

REQUIRED EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND CREDENTIALS

• High School Diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• NYS Peer Certification (Provisional or Full Certification), OR NY Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (NYCRPA) Certification as well as maintaining this certification which is necessary to maintain active job status.
• Lived experience required: personal experience living with a disability, history of mental health challenge and/or substance abuse and willingness to draw upon this experience to serve as a role model to support the recovery goals of individuals served.
• 1+ year professional experience in the field preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to travel within the 5 boroughs using public transportation.
• Must be able to climb stairs.
• Ability to perform the essential job functions consistently safely and successfully with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.