Peer Employment Specialist

Promise Resource Network Inc; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Peer Employment Specialist to support individuals facing mental health challenges. This full-time role involves using personal recovery experiences to guide peers in exploring career opportunities and achieving educational goals. You will collaborate with various stakeholders, develop personalized plans, and provide ongoing support to ensure success in employment and education. Join a passionate team committed to making a difference in the lives of others, where your contributions will be valued and impactful.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Sick Time

PTO

401K

EAP

Life Insurance (optional)

Short-term Disability

Long-term Disability

Qualifications

• Current North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist required.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Engage with peers to develop employment and education plans.
• Conduct job development and provide ongoing support for employment.

Skills

Peer Support

Communication Skills

Time Management

Teamwork

Leadership

Ethical Practice

Conflict Resolution

Education

North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist

Tools

Microsoft Word

Spreadsheets

Databases

Presentation Software

Job description

Full-time role. Pay is $45,000/yr. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, sick time, PTO, 401K, EAP, life insurance (optional), and short-term/long-term disability.

About The Position

The Peer Employment Specialist provides employment and educational support to individuals with mental health challenges or disabilities. This role involves using lived experience with recovery to help peers explore career and educational opportunities, obtain jobs, and succeed in their educational pursuits. The specialist works closely with employment and education teams to offer individualized guidance, encouragement, and support.

Location: Charlotte, NC
Job Type: Full-time

What You'll Do

• Engage and establish trusting and collaborative relationships with providers and employers to achieve competitive employment in the community.
• Use background information and work experiences related to employment opportunities to better access vocational functioning on an on-going basis.With permission, the Peer Employment Specialist will offer education and support to peers and their designated natural supports.
• Help peers access benefit information and explain how employment may affect their specific benefits.
• Conduct job development and job search activities for positions which focus on the peer's interests.
• Contact potential employers to learn about the needs of the business and communicate support offered by the Peer-Run Employment and Career Support program.
• Ensure peers are matched with available employment opportunities.
• Offer personalized ongoing support to help maintain employment.
• Collaborates with peers to develop job support plans, incorporating feedback from others involved in their support.
• Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by peer(s), which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact.
• Provide outreach services, as necessary, to peers when they become disengaged.
• Provide timely interventions – reacting to situations promptly.
• Participate in face-to-face meetings with stakeholders and other partners to coordinate services for peers.
• Develop individual employment and/or education and career plans with peers.
• Facilitate employment support group meetings for individuals seeking employment.
• Plan work hours in the community by meeting with peers, connecting with potential employers, transporting peers to job interviews, and supporting their pursuit of educational and training opportunities.
• Actively engage with providers to coordinate, collaborate, and advocate for peer employment.
• Help peers navigate educational systems and access resources for academic success, including tutoring, financial aid, disability accommodations, and other supports. Assist with enrollment processes for GED, vocational training, community college, or higher education programs.
• Work with each peer to develop a personalized plan that integrates their employment and education goals. Assist in identifying strengths, overcoming barriers, and developing strategies for success in both areas.

Qualifications & Experience

• Current North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist.
• Belief in the recovery potential of all people and is committed to the philosophy of peer support by reinforcing their ability to work and/or achieve personal goals.
• Ability to receive guidance, training, and mentoring to grow skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates leadership by modeling PRN’s mission, values, philosophy, and guidance to team members.
• Demonstrates taking personal responsibility, being dependable, reliable, working as a team player, and utilizing personal determination skills.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, is ethical and approachable.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, providers, and other stakeholders.
• Committed to personal recovery and wellness and has a personal history of recovery and lived experiences in seeking and receiving crisis-based support.
• Ability to manage time, and complete tasks accordingly with limited direct supervision.
• Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation.
• Demonstrate honesty, and integrity, is ethical, and is approachable.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) using active and reflective listening, asking curious questions, validating others' experiences, remaining non-judgmental, and demonstrating effective conflict resolution skills.
• Basic knowledge of community support services/resources.

Please reach out to Landrick Alston, HR, for any additional questions.