Peer Support Specialist - DePaul

Mental Health Association of Rochester; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Mental Health Association of Rochester is seeking a part-time Peer Support Specialist to assist individuals in supportive housing at DePaul locations. The role focuses on recovery, safety, self-worth, coping skills, and community connection, with an emphasis on person-centered support and respectful engagement.

The position requires NYS Certified Peer Specialist certification (provisional or permanent), a high school diploma or GED, and demonstrated knowledge of the public mental health system.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience and knowledge of the public mental health system.
• Experience as Peer/Youth/Family Specialist preferred.
• NYS Certified Peer Specialist - provisional or permanent certification required and must be maintained.

Responsibilities

• Meet with residents to provide one-on-one peer support.
• Address mental health concerns and behaviors and teach coping skills.
• Connect guests with community resources.
• Comply with HIPAA regulations.
• Participate in staff meetings as required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Diversity sensitivity

Education

High school diploma or GED

NYS Certified Peer Specialist - provisional

NYS Certified Peer Specialist - permanent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Paylocity payroll

Job description

Job Summary

Peer Support services are individualized and recovery-focused that promote individuals to manage their own recovery process. Interventions of Peer Support Services emphasize personal safety, self-worth, confidence, and growth, connection to the community, boundary setting, planning, self-advocacy, personal fulfillment, development of social support, and effective communication.

The Peer Support Specialist will work with staff at DePaul locations to assist individuals in supportive housing for people with mental illness.

This position is part-time 20 hours per week.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Meet with residents to provide one-on-one peer support
• Address mental health concerns and behaviors and teach coping skills
• Connect guests with community resources
• Comply with HIPPA regulations
• Participate in staff meetings as required

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Education and Experience

• High school diploma/GED equivalency.
• Experience and knowledge of the public mental health system.
• Experience working as a Peer/Youth/Family Specialist preferred.
• NYS Certified Peer Specialist - provisional certification or NYS Certified Peer Specialist - permanent certification required and must be maintained throughout employment.

Equipment, Machines and Software Used

• Ability to operate various office equipment including computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, photocopier, scanner, and calculator.
• Computer Software: Microsoft Office to include Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel. Experience with Paylocity payroll system preferred.
• Reliable transportation required to meet with clients in the community and DePaul locations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills including verbal and written communication.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to respond to questions from staff and program participants.
• Individuals must demonstrate sensitivity, respect, and competency with diverse cultural backgrounds, social identities and practices of community members.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to exert up to 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
• Finger dexterity required to operate telephone and computer keyboard.
• Hearing at a level to enable one to hear normal conversation.
• Visual requirements of having the ability to read documents, the computer screen, etc.

Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed in a typical office environment where there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions unless otherwise directed. (Recovery Center, Intake Coordinator)
• Work is performed in a typical office environment where there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions unless otherwise directed AND in the community where there is minimal risk based on community circumstances. (Drop-In Services, Community Based Peer Support: DePaul, East House, Inpatient Hospital Units, CORE, Youth Peer Support Services, Family Support Services, Education/Training and Employment Services, Resource Navigation).

Work Hours

• The standard work week is 20 hours. Specific days and hours to be determined. Scheduled work hours will fall within our standard business hours of 9 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Flexibility may be required on occasion.
• This work cannot be performed from home or in hybrid format.

Compensation

• Compensation will be in the range of $20-22/hr.

Disclaimer

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.