Peer Specialist

The Jewish Board; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading community services organization is seeking a Peer Specialist to advocate for clients receiving ACT services. The role requires providing support in daily living skills, facilitating recovery groups, and collaborating with various clients in community settings. Ideal candidates have a strong background in NYS entitlements and mental health services, coupled with the necessary peer specialist certification.

Qualifications

• Experience with similar populations in a community setting.
• Ability to articulate the company’s philosophy to a varied audience.
• Capacity to perform basic mathematical skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver concrete services to clients as per program needs.
• Lead recovery groups on self-advocacy and daily living activities.
• Conduct weekly in-person visits for clients in shelters or homes.

Skills

Familiarity with NYS Entitlements

Basic computer skills

Communication skills

Mathematical skills

Reasoning skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Post-secondary education preferred

NY Certified or Provisionally Certified Peer Specialist

Job description

To serve as a role model and advocate for clients receiving ACT services in the community. Assist in the areas of entitlements, self-advocacy and empowerment, daily activities, housing and employment. Teach independent living skills. Function as a full member of the ACT team providing evidenced based interventions as part of the ACT model. The majority of this role is conducted in the community and is not site specific.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide concrete service delivery to clients (i.e. benefits/entitlements), as per program needs.
• Lead and co-lead a variety of recovery groups on issues of self-advocacy, entitlements, daily living activities, housing issues, employment readiness, smoking cessation, substance use disorders and other groups as deemed appropriate.
• Communicate with collaterals and other agency staff on behalf of clients to assist case management staff as needed.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision and discharge planning discussion.
• Appropriately document individual and groups notes in electronic health records.
• Assists in various duties (as needed) for the program
• Maintain resource materials on recovery for client use.
• Conduct weekly in person visits for clients currently residing in homeless shelters and assigned to the ACT program and/or in client’s homes or elsewhere in the community where the client is accessible.
• Train consumers in peer advocacy skills, harm reduction skills and affect management skills.
• Escort clients to doctors, court, interviews and other appointments as needed.
• Teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, how to manage medication adherence.
• Complete Relapse Prevention plans with clients.
• Conduct diligent searches for missing clients including outreaches to DHS, hospitals, web searches as well as making in person physical attempts to locate clients.
• May be assigned other tasks and duties reasonably related to their job responsibilities.

Skills and/or Experience Required:

• Familiarity with NYS Entitlements, Housing and Mental Health Service Delivery System.
• Basic computer skills a plus.

Communication Skills:

• Ability to articulate the company’s philosophy, mission and goals to a varied audience.
• Ability to author and to present effective and persuasive speeches and presentations to various groups including clients, management and employees.
• Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints, including those of a sensitive and confidential nature, from any of the following, if applicable, under a variety of circumstances, including adversarial situations: clients, consumers, managers, employees, regulatory agencies, arbitrators, union representatives, vendors, or applicants.
• Ability to effectively present information to clients, top management and staff in verbal and written formats.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to perform basic mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.

Reasoning Skills:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to work within general guidelines and minimal supervision.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and execute responsibilities in the face of conflicting priorities or unexpected situations.
• Ability to recognize the need for confidentiality of information and to maintain such confidences.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Must be comfortable with public transportation, traveling in the community, as this position requires 80% of the time in the field and 20% in the office. This individual must be comfortable walking and standing for long periods of time.

REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma, GED or some post-secondary education preferred, as is experience with a similarpopulation in a community setting. NY Certified or Provisionally Certified Peer Specialist required.

We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This applies with respect to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, termination, assignments, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and all other terms and condition of employment as well as general treatment during employment.

We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities, without regard to any protected classifications, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Any employees who need assistance to perform their job duties because of a physical or mental condition should contact human resources.

Job Family Direct Care [200s]

Job Function Misc Professionals

Pay Type Hourly

Employment Indicator 8857 - Case Worker - Social Services - Traveling