Peer Specialist

Project Renewal; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 32,400 - 39,600; Full time

Job summary

Project Renewal is seeking a Peer Specialist for the On-Site Rehab Program based at the Fort Washington Men’s Shelter in Rochester, NY. This role involves providing counseling and supportive services to help clients transition from the shelter to independent living, along with ongoing aftercare.

The ideal candidate will have a High School Diploma and two years of relevant experience. Flexibility in hours is required, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience working with adults who are mentally ill or homeless.
• Minimum two years’ sobriety - if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and supportive services to facilitate clients' transition to independent living.
• Meet with clients individually or in groups to discuss successful community living.
• Document clients’ information in a timely manner.

Skills

Experience working with mentally ill or homeless adults

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Program Overview

The On-Site Rehab Program is based at the Fort Washington Men’s Shelter - a 200 bed 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless men diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse. The program’s services mirror the range of shelter services available and include case management, individual and group counseling, psychiatric assessment and follow-up, medication management, and housing placement assistance.

Title: Peer Specialist

Program: Fort Washington

Salary Range: $36,000

Overall Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Clinical Director and under the direct supervision of the Housing Specialist, the Peer Counselor is responsible for providing the required counseling and supportive services to selected clients to facilitate their transition from the shelter to living independently in their communities, as well as to provide the aftercare necessary to ensure permanency; performs related work.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Supports the efforts of case managers and the Housing Specialist to assist clients in accessing the range of living options they are qualified for including supportive housing, LINC, family reunification, etc.
• Meets with identified clients individually and, or in groups to discuss issues related to successful community living including budgeting, medication adherence, sobriety or harm reduction, and use of leisure time.
• Escort clients to placements, entitlement appointments, housing interviews and other community support programs.
• Documents all clients’ information and updates in a timely fashion.
• Drives the Project Renewal vehicle for housing related activities as needed.
• Provides ongoing aftercare to identify and address obstacles to permanency.
• Regularly has post-placement phone and/or face to face contacts and provides community escorts as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Clinical Coordinator or Housing Specialist.
• Available to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed. On call for emergencies on a 24X7X365 basis, especially after regular work hours and on weekends.

Qualifications

• All candidates must have a minimum High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working with adults who are mentally ill or homeless.
• Minimum two years’ sobriety - if applicable.
• An ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff and providers.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer. Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail), physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.