Peer Support Specialist II - Part Time

Rutgers University; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 40,170 - 42,085; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) seeks a Part-Time Peer Support Specialist II to engage with callers via phone, chat, or text and provide supportive referrals. The role emphasizes leveraging lived experience to aid individuals across Newark and statewide services.

Responsibilities include assessing needs, offering peer support, coordinating dispositions, and maintaining accurate documentation.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Four (4) years of full-time experience in the mental health care field.
• Be a self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services with personal recovery experience and at least one year supporting others.

Responsibilities

• Interact with clients in a therapeutic manner.
• Ensure all service requests are handled in a caller-friendly way.
• Assess service requests/referrals and respond per procedures.
• Assess client’s condition to determine appropriate disposition.
• Maintain professional communication with outside agencies and teams.
• Complete call/chat/text disposition documentation and oversee case flow.

Skills

Empathy

Excellent communication

Crisis intervention

Active listening

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Job description

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care ( UBHC ), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC’s 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education.

UBHC , one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers.

In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist II (Part Time) for the 988 Lifeline Services within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
The Peer Support Specialist provides engagement, support, and assessment for callers that meet quality and quantity standards. Performs functions in support of the Unit’s mission of providing streamlined, prompt, and “customer friendly” services. Receives telephone, chat and/or text requests for service, undertakes assessment of the service need of the client, and responds by offering peer support and appropriate referrals or disposition. Demonstrates competency in recognizing the unique needs of clients and applying relevant assessment and support skills with regard to a wide range of issues.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Interacts with client in a therapeutic manner.
• Participates in ensuring all service requests are handled in an effective and “caller friendly” manner.
• Assesses service requests/referrals and responds in accordance with prescribed procedures.
• Assesses client’s condition in order to make/authorize an appropriate disposition.
• Ensures that inquiries, and other contacts with professionals, outside agencies, and other parties are responded to in a professional and cordial manner, per client feedback and as observed by supervisor.
• Assumes overall management for completion of call, chat and/or text and documentation for disposition.

FLSA

FLSA Nonexempt

Grade

Grade 187

Salary Details

Salary Details $28.30 per hour

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary 29.160

Mid Range Salary 29.660

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 30.550

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Position Status Part Time

Working Hours

Working Hours 16 hours per week

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 40.00

Daily Work Shift

Daily Work Shift Day

Work Arrangement

This position may be eligible for a fully remote work arrangement.

Union Description

Payroll Designation

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

Position Pension Eligibility PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Four (4) years of full-time experience in the mental health care field.
• Be a self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who has personal experience and knowledge of recovery and has a minimum of one (1) year of experience supporting others.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge about psychosocial rehabilitation and the recovery model is essential.
• Be able to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Must have willingness to learn and teach.
• Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a social or mental health setting.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Special Conditions

Posting Number

Posting Number 26ST1087

Posting Open Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus

Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Home Location Campus Off Campus

City

City Remote

State

State NJ

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have four (4) years of full-time experience in the mental health care field?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you a self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who has personal experience and knowledge of recovery and has a minimum of one year of experience supporting others?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree or Associate’s Degree?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have Peer training certification?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you able to work Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you able to work Holidays?
  • Yes
  • No

• Required Documents
• Resume/CV
• Optional Documents
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

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