Peer Support Specialist

WNY Independent Living Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

WNY Independent Living in Buffalo, NY is hiring a Full-Time Peer Support Specialist to help individuals with lived mental health experiences reach personal goals and improve quality of life. You'll provide peer counseling, conduct self-assessments, assist with advance directives, advocate with housing, benefits, and healthcare, and support community integration.

Candidates must become NYS Certified Peer Specialist/Provisional within one year, and may hold a HS diploma or higher in related

Qualifications

• Must type 35 words per minute.
• Applicants must be a current or former consumer of mental health services.
• Ability to travel independently to sites within WNYIL counties.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling to recipients of mental health services.
• Facilitate weekly peer support self-help meetings on quality-of-life concerns.
• Assist individuals with Quality-of-Life Self-Assessment.
• Educate and assist in developing Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs).
• Advocate with medical/mental health personnel, housing, benefits, and mobility training.

Skills

Typing 35 wpm

Travel required

Computer skills (Excel, databases)

Education

NYS Certified Peer Specialist/Provisional

HS diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in related field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Buffalo, NY. WNY Independent Living. Peer Support Specialist.

FT. Benefits. $40,000-$42,000/Year

Closing Date: October 5, 2026

General Job Description

To provide peer support to individuals, with lived mental health experiences through positive self-disclosure, to assist in obtaining their goals related to Independent Living, vocations and improve Quality of Life.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist individuals with mental illness complete a Quality-of-Life Self-Assessment.
• Educate and assist individuals with developing Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs).

when necessary.

• Support individuals in learning how to live in the community in a healthy manner.
• Provide advocacy when dealing with medical or mental health personnel, housing, independent living skills, benefits advisement, peer support, information and referral and mobility training.

• Assess benefit forms for each individual served.
• Provide rapid employment techniques and skills needed for mental health recipients to assist in finding employment.

• Provide peer counseling to recipients of mental health services.
• Facilitate weekly peer support self-help meetings regarding quality-of-life concerns.

Education & Training

Candidate must be a certified NYS Certified Peer Specialist/Provisional, within one (1) year of being hired.

Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.

High school diploma or equivalency OR an Associate degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.

OR Bachelor's degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE (if Required)

Candidate must be a certified NYS Certified Peer Specialist/Provisional, within one (1) year of being hired.

Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.

High school diploma or equivalent

OR

Associate Degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.

OR

Bachelors Degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.

Skills & Abilities

Must be able to type thirty-five (35) words per minute.

Applicants must be a current or former consumer of mental health services.

Ability to travel independently and commute to sites in all counties WNYIL operates is required.

Must have intermediate level of knowledge of computers including the use of Excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing and networks.

Perform in a professional, conscientious, and efficient manner for the purpose of ensuring a better quality of life for persons with disabilities.