Peer Support Specialist (Community-Based) - Full Time

LifeWorks Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 55,409,827 - 74,828,476; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 PTO days per year

11 paid holidays per year

Premium-free medical plan with $100 Hs

50% retirement match on first 6%

Job summary

LifeWorks Austin is seeking a full-time Peer Support Specialist to join our community-based Peer Services team in Austin, TX. The role leverages lived experience and training to provide support, mentorship, and group facilitation, using a trauma-informed, strength-based approach to promote recovery and wellness.

The position is full-time and non-exempt, starting at $22.75 per hour with bi-weekly pay. Benefits include 24 PTO days annually, 11 paid holidays, a premium-free medical plan with $100

Qualifications

• Requires GED or HS Diploma.
• Requires obtaining state certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS).
• Must have lived experience with trauma and substance use or mental health challenges.
• Experience with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-centered, healing-centered peer support to diverse individuals.
• Promote recovery, resiliency, and accountability to help others achieve long-term recovery.
• Meet with individual clients to establish a safe, healthy relationship and connect to community resources.
• Facilitate regular support groups and social activities on site or in the community.
• Engage in outreach to individuals unfamiliar with LifeWorks services.
• Develop and deliver recovery-related presentations and outreach on topics such as harm reduction and trauma recovery.
• Advocate for clients within the community and internally to address needs.
• Maintain positive working relationships with agency staff and referral sources.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of client services and progress in the database.
• Ensure compliance with funding, licensure, and accrediting requirements.
• Additional duties related to recovery support including transportation and resource navigation.
• Maintain supervision and continuing education.

Education

GED or HS Diploma

Certified Peer Support Specialist certification

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Description

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for full-time Peer Support Specialist to join our community-based Peer Services team! A Peer Support Specialist utilizes their lived experience and training to provide support services and education to individuals via group facilitation, individual mentorship, community collaboration, and the provision of alternative activities. The Peer Support Specialist utilizes a trauma-informed, strength-based model of support to foster and promote recovery and wellness with each client served.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. This position has a starting rate of $22.75/hr. paid bi-weekly. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

Responsibilities

• Provide client-centered, healing-centered peer support services to diverse individuals who may have experienced chronic homelessness, systems involvement, mental health challenges, substance use challenges, a history of trauma, etc.


• Promote recovery, resiliency, and accountability to help others initiate or achieve long-term recovery to enhance quality of life, health, and wellness.


• Meet with individual clients, as needed, to establish a safe, healthy relationship for learning, problem-solving, and participating in community activities; assists clients in building a network of support; makes referrals and coordinates client services, as appropriate.


• Facilitate regular support groups and social activities, on site and/or within the community, through the implementation of program curricula, experiential activities, presentations and discussions, field trips and/or skill-based activities.


• Participation in outreach opportunities to effectively engage with individuals who may be unfamiliar with LifeWorks services and supports.


• Plan, develop, and provide recovery-related presentations and outreach on a variety of topics, such as harm reduction, substance use and disease prevention/intervention, health/mental health promotion, trauma and recovery, community resources, relationship-building, and coping strategies.


• Advocate for clients within the community as well as internally to ensure that client needs are being recognized, represented, and addressed.


• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with agency staff and community contacts such as referral sources, recovery community organizations, peer-run programs in non-recovery organizations, and other service providers.


• Maintain up-to-date online documentation of client services and contacts by frequently entering into agency database. Document client progress toward recovery goals.


• Comply with all requirements outlined by funding sources, licensure and accrediting bodies, the program, and the agency. These requirements may pertain to data, paperwork, philosophies, processes, and procedures, among other things.


• Additional duties as they relate to recovery support, including but not limited to, transporting clients in personal vehicles, resource navigation, and instrumental support.


• Maintain approved non-clinical supervision and continuing education.


• Use crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to assist clients in mental or emotional crisis.

Qualifications

• Requires a GED or HS Diploma and 2 years of related individual and group peer support experience.


• Requires obtaining state certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS).


• Requires lived experience with 1) trauma and 2) substance use or mental health challenges. Record of maintaining own recovery over the past 2-year period.


• Experience with databases; proficient level experience with Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

About Lifeworks

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.

A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.