Peer Support Specialist III

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription, dental coverage

Paid vacation, holidays, and leave

Job summary

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) in Edison, NJ seeks a Peer Support Specialist III to provide person-centered support either in person or by phone. The role uses lived experience to engage individuals and families, supporting wellness and recovery in collaboration with the treatment team.

The position requires a high school diploma, 3+ years of relevant experience (2+ years lived experience), and certification eligibility within 12 months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• At least three years of relevant experience required.
• At least two of the three years must be lived experience with the target population.
• Must be certified or eligible for Peer Support Certification within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Engages individuals served in a collaborative and caring relationship.
• Uses lived experiences with recovery to build rapport and guide care.
• Demonstrates strong communication and wellness coping skills.
• Assists in identifying strengths and wellness needs to set recovery goals.
• Collaborates with staff to develop recovery and wellness plans.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Computer literacy

Bilingual

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

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.

Recruitment/Posting Title

Peer Support Specialist III

Job Category

Staff & Executive - Healthcare

Department

UBHC - Edison

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist III within the Outpatient Services of Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.

The Peer Support Specialist III is a member of a team offering person centered, culturally competent instrumental, information and emotional support either in person or by phone. The Peer Support Specialist III uses lived experience and basic peer support skills to engage and empower persons served to support their wellness. Offers insight into the experience of living with a mental and/or substance use disorder and relevant recovery supports in order to assist staff in identifying program environments and treatment approaches that are conducive to recovery.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engages individuals served in a collaborative and caring relationship.
• Uses his/her own lived experiences with mental and/or substance use recovery as a vehicle to establish rapport and build relationships with the individuals served and/or their family member(s).
• Demonstrates good communication skills, wellness and recovery oriented coping skills and self-help strategies for individuals served and team members.
• Assists consumers in identifying their strengths and wellness needs in order to establish recovery goals; assists in setting objectives for each goal and collaborates to determine recovery and wellness supports.
• Is actively involved in the development of the consumers treatment/recovery and where applicable assists in development of wellness and recovery plans.

FLSA

Nonexempt

Grade

177

Salary Details

Minimum Salary: 27.550

Mid Range Salary: 28.050

Maximum Salary: 28.890

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.

Benefits

• 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

Full Time

Standard Hours

40.00

Daily Work Shift

Day

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description

Teamsters 97

Payroll Designation

PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment

Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least three (3) years of previous relevant experience required.
• At least two (2) of the three (3) years must be lived experience with the target population.

Certifications/Licenses

• Must be certified or eligible for certification as a Peer Support Specialist or Family Advocate.
• If not certified, documented demonstrated progress toward completion of Peer Support Certification within 12 months is required.
• Must possess valid driver's license or alternate means of transportation for use to outreach individuals served.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Be able to work independently and as part of a team in a collegial group environment.
• Be able to use a computer to record services and other basic office functions.
• Pre-employment drug screening and background check including finger printing is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a social or healthcare field and/or a mental health capacity preferred.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English or Cantonese/English or Mandarin/English) are preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Office environment. Moderate noise.

Posting Details

Posting Number: 25ST2347

Regional Campus

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Piscataway (RBHS)

City

Edison

State

NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

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