Peer Specialist

Tompkins County; New York (NY); On-site; USD 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Tompkins County is hiring a Peer Specialist for a 35-hour week to support adults with mental health recovery in the MHOTRS Clinic and community visits. The role emphasizes person-centered care, empathy, and collaboration with a clinical team to promote engagement in treatment goals.

The candidate must be a NYS-certified Peer Specialist with required credentials, have a valid NYS driver’s license, and publicly identify as someone with lived recovery experience.

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist with NYS Academy of Peer Services Credentialing at time of application.
• Valid NYS Driver’s license at time of application and maintenance of such license for the duration of employment.
• Publicly self-identify as a person who has lived recovery experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to adults in clinic and community settings.
• Assist clients in developing recovery skills and self-advocacy.
• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team to plan and provide appropriate treatment interventions.
• Maintain thorough records and reports to support clients’ recovery.
• Utilize lived experience to connect with individuals and foster hope and empowerment.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Peer support

Group facilitation

Recovery-oriented care

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

TOMPKINS COUNTY CIVIL SERVICEVACANCY

Inclusion Through Diversity

OPEN TO THE PUBLICTompkins County Department of Human Resources Office

125 E. Court StreetIthaca, NY 14850

[phone]Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time

ISSUE DATE: 09/10/26

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 10/31/26

DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 11/01/26

RESIDENCY

Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga,Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintainresidency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the finalearned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right undersection 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipalityor district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County mustthen certify the names of non-residents on the list.

Tompkins County Whole Health is seeking a Peer Specialist, a 35-hour per week position with a Hire Rate of $22.02 per hour and a Work Rate of $23.19 per hour after 9 months. Must be a Certified Peer Specialist with NYS Academy of Peer ServicesCredentialing at time of application.

Based in the MHOTRS Clinic, this role supports individuals on their mental health recovery journey by providing person-centeredsupport both individually and in groups, onsite in the clinic and through offsite community visits. Drawing on the strength of livedexperience, the Peer Specialist helps clients build coping skills, strengthen self-advocacy, navigate services, and remain engagedin treatment goals.

The position works collaboratively with the clinical team while maintaining the unique peer-to-peer relationship that fosters hope,empowerment, and connection. Ideal candidates will bring empathy, strong communication skills, professionalism, healthyboundaries, flexibility, and a passion for recovery-oriented, person-driven care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Completion of a high school diploma or GED

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

At time of application:

Must be a Certified Peer Specialist with NYS Academy of Peer Services Credentialing at time of application

Valid NYS Driver’s license at time of application and maintenance of such license for the duration of employment.

At time of Appointment:Publicly self-identify as a person who has direct personal experience living a life of recovery, overcoming the challenges resultingfrom a diagnosis of mental illness.

Current or former recipient of mental health or dual diagnosis services

Not currently hospitalized

Have sufficient knowledge of recovery, overcoming challenges resulting from a diagnosis of mental illness to assist others withrecovery.

Certification and necessary continuing education requirements must be maintained throughout employment with TompkinsCounty.

Tompkins County Government centers diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to the empowerment of employees andresidents to dismantle systemic barriers that inhibit inclusive governance and the provision of government services to all. Guidedby our values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Equity, and Stewardship, we strive to build a workplace and communityrooted in trust, belonging, and opportunity for all.

Learn more about our Strategic Plan and Institutionalizing Equity Report, which embed equity across our operations.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This work involves the responsibility for providing peer support services to adults struggling with mental health both in theagency and the community. The work involves participating as a part of a multi-disciplinary team to plan and provide appropriatetreatment interventions to assist individuals in regaining and retaining psychiatric stability and a wide range of other functionalabilities. The Peer Specialist, in consultation with other mental health professionals and paraprofessionals, is responsible for meeting the needs of the individuals assigned, within their scope of practice. This work requires general computer skills and the ability to speak comfortably in a small group of peers. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the ProgramDirector, or their designee. The work is assigned in the form of clear-cut assignments and completed following standard writtenprocedures and guidelines. Supervision of others is not a function of this position. Supervision will be provided by a Certified Peer Specialist in addition whenever available. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Provides the perspective of and advocacy for the service recipient in program development and the carrying out of rehabilitative group sessions or one on one activities.
• Works with individuals to identify and give voice to their own recovery path, meeting people with compassion and empathy.
• Assists clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy
• Teaches and role models the value of every individual’s recovery experience
• Provides supportive case management services, involving assistance with completing tasks independently- such as making phone calls to community providers with individuals, filling out paperwork or attending appointments/meetings.
• Provides verbal and written information clearly and accurately.
• Assists clients in problem solving, decision making, and goal planning (both creation and adjustment of person-centered goals or Wellness Recovery Action Plans).
• Participates in a multi-disciplinary team to discuss efficacy of and revise treatment/program strategy and methods.
• Participates in ongoing learning experiences as required and/or to obtain or maintain NYS Academy of Peers Credentialing.
• Prepares, maintains and organizes a variety of records and reports, commensurate with position, to support clients’ recovery.
• Physical demands of the job vary, location where work will be performed varies across the community including, but not limitedto clients’ homes, hospitals, schools, community agencies, transportation vehicles, as well as in the office. Work is primarilysedentary with some walking, carrying and lifting light items and accessing transportation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Identifies as a service recipient and uses their lived experience to connect with individuals served
• Ability to build a fund of knowledge of the local community service agencies and their available programs.
• Working knowledge of and skill to teach the activities involved with daily living skills such as money management, cooking,shopping, sports and purposeful leisure activities and the barriers associated with access/completion of these activities created bymental illness and/or substance use.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and active substance use.
• Ability to work with individuals who live with mental health and substance use concerns/barriers.
• Ability to recognize and get appropriate help in emergency and crises situations.
• Ability to maintain successful working relationships with people both within and outside the agency.
• Ability to provide support to people in the areas of emotional, social, economic, and vocational problems.
• Initiative; tact; good judgment; emotional stability; maturity; patience.
• Ability to successfully work with and serve a diverse local community.
• Ability to understand and follow oral directions.
• Must be friendly, personable, pleasant, and outgoing. Working well as part of a team.
• The employee’s physical and mental condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position, either with or without reasonable accommodation.
• The employee models appropriate self-care and use of Wellness Recovery Action Plans in the work environment.
• Adheres to the values and ethics of NYS OMH Certified Peer Specialists

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Originally Created 6/2022