Peer Support Specialist

Venture Forthe Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Competitive pay

Health, dental, vision insurance

PTO

401(k) with match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Short-term disability

FSA/HSA

Career growth

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Venture Forthe Home Care seeks dedicated Peer Support Specialists to provide trauma-informed, nonclinical assistance in the community, helping participants reach recovery goals. You will work with individuals using their personalized service plans, promoting coping skills, self-advocacy, and connections to community resources.

Roles involve in-person and community-based support, collaboration with care teams, and documentation while maintaining confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.

Qualifications

• Current NY OMH Certified Peer Specialist credential or OASAS Certified Peer Advocate credential.
• Ability to use personal lived experience appropriately to support and inspire others in recovery.
• Understanding of peer-support, recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed practices.
• Valid New York State driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel within the community.
• Ability to work independently and responsibly in field-based settings.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate electronic records and complete documentation within required deadlines.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professional boundaries, teamwork, and respectful service.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centered peer support services in person and within the community.
• Use lived experience to build trust, model recovery, and help participants develop skills for greater independence and well-being.
• Support individualized recovery goals through coaching, self-help tools, relapse-prevention planning, and connections to natural and community supports.
• Help participants access benefits, housing, behavioral health services, and other needed resources while encouraging self-advocacy and shared decision-making.
• Provide outreach, engagement, transitional support, and assistance during pre-crisis or crisis situations.
• Collaborate with participants, families, providers, and care teams to promote continuity of support.
• Complete intake forms, service plans, progress notes, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and compliance with HIPAA and agency policies.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication skills

Advocacy

Problem-solving

Education

OMH Certified Peer Specialist credential

OASAS Certified Peer Advocate credential

Job description

Description

Peer Support Services provide trauma-informed, nonclinical assistance to individuals navigating behavioral health recovery. Using each participant’s individualized service plan, peer support promotes coping skills, self-advocacy, hope, independence, and connections to community resources. The goal is to help participants begin and sustain recovery while improving their quality of life.

Description

Peer Support Services provide trauma-informed, nonclinical assistance to individuals navigating behavioral health recovery. Using each participant’s individualized service plan, peer support promotes coping skills, self-advocacy, hope, independence, and connections to community resources. The goal is to help participants begin and sustain recovery while improving their quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide person-centered peer support services in person and within the community.


• Use lived experience to build trust, model recovery, and help participants develop skills for greater independence and well-being.


• Support individualized recovery goals through coaching, self-help tools, relapse-prevention planning, and connections to natural and community supports.


• Help participants access benefits, housing, behavioral health services, and other needed resources while encouraging self-advocacy and shared decision-making.


• Provide outreach, engagement, transitional support, and assistance during pre-crisis or crisis situations.


• Collaborate with participants, families, providers, and care teams to promote continuity of support.


• Complete intake forms, service plans, progress notes, and other required documentation accurately and on time.


• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and compliance with HIPAA and agency policies.

Why work for Venture Forthe?

At Venture Forthe, we believe home is where people thrive. As one of New York's leading home care agencies, we're passionate about helping individuals remain independent, safe, and in control of their lives. That mission starts with our team. We foster a culture built on compassion, respect, integrity, and collaboration, where employees are valued, supported, and encouraged to grow. As a family-owned organization, we know that when we invest in our people, they can make an even greater impact on the lives of others.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance & schedule flexibility


• Competitive pay


• Health, dental, vision insurance


• PTO


• 401(k) with match


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Short-term disability, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans


• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)/ Health Savings Account (HSA)


• Employee discount programs


• Career growth in a mission-driven agency


• Supportive and collaborative work culture

Equal Opportunity Employer

Venture Forthe Home Care is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Requirements

• Current New York State OMH Certified Peer Specialist credential or OASAS Certified Peer Advocate credential.


• Ability to use personal lived experience appropriately to support and inspire others in recovery.


• Understanding of peer-support, recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed practices.


• Valid New York State driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel within the community.


• Ability to work independently and responsibly in field-based settings.


• Strong communication, relationship-building, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to maintain accurate electronic records and complete documentation within required deadlines.


• Commitment to confidentiality, professional boundaries, teamwork, and respectful service.