Lead Peer Support Specialist

Heartland Family Service; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Family Service in Council Bluffs, IA, seeks a Peer Drop-In Center Peer Support Specialist to provide highly individualized services and lead the Peer Support team. You will support program staff with training, documentation, and quality improvement initiatives.

You will promote client self‑determination, collaborate with IPS, and ensure data is collected and reported in a timely manner. The role requires 3+ years’ peer support experience and PRS certification, with PSWH/WRAP preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduate of Peer Support Training Academy.
• Certified Peer Recovery Support (PRS).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Peer Support Specialist.
• Peer Support Whole Health training (PSWH) preferred.
• Wellness Recovery Action Planning training (WRAP) preferred.
• Valid driver’s license/ acceptable driving record

Responsibilities

• Maintain responsibilities of Peer Support Specialist.
• Provide program leadership.
• Assist Program Coordinator in program development.
• Takes a lead in role of quality improvement changes and Peer Support programming.
• Orient, train, and support Peer Support staff as designated by the coordinator.
• Collaborates with Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) team to make sure IPS clients have access to peer support services.
• Complete necessary IPS training.
• Is able to work with minimal supervision and as a part of the team.
• Monitoring productivity and coaching staff to ensure program standards are maintained.
• Ensure required client and program information is collected and entered into prescribed formats and reported in a timely manner.
• Performs other program related duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Team collaboration

Peer support knowledge

Education

Graduate of Peer Support Training Academy

Certified Peer Recovery Support (PRS)

Peer Support Whole Health training (PSWH) preferred

Wellness Recovery Action Planning training (WRAP) preferred

Job description

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace.

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives. Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships.

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team-oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A person in recovery from a serious mental illness will hold this position. This position is a fully integrated employee who provides highly individualized services at the peer drop‑in program and in the community and is responsible for various leadership responsibilities over the Peer Drop‑In Center Peer Support Specialist team. Leadership responsibilities may include orientation and training of new staff and ongoing support and guidance over program staff, documentation review and compliance, and ongoing development of Peer Center programing. The focus of their work is to promote client self‑determination and decision‑making. Peer specialists also provide essential expertise and consultation to other professionals to promote a culture in which each client’s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self‑help activities. Professionals at this level have excellent communication skills with clients, family members and community institutions. Decision‑making, problem solving, and positive interpersonal skills are critical.

Compensation range: between $16.25 and $19.38 per hour (wage is determined upon years of experience)
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain responsibilities of Peer Support Specialist
• Provide program leadership
• Assist Program Coordinator in program development
• Takes a lead in role of quality improvement changes and Peer Support programing.
• Orient, train, and support Peer Support staff as designated by the coordinator.
• Collaborates with Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) team to make sure IPS clients have access to peer support services
• Complete necessary IPS training
• Is able to work with minimal supervision and as a part of the team
• Monitoring productivity and coaching staff to ensure program standards are maintained.
• Ensure required client and program information is collected and entered into prescribed formats and reported in a timely manner.
• Performs other program related duties as assigned.

DENOTES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of Peer Support Training Academy
• Certified Peer Recovery Support (PRS)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Peer Support Specialist
• Peer Support Whole Health training (PSWH) preferred
• Wellness Recovery Action Planning training (WRAP) preferred
• Valid driver’s license/ acceptable driving record