Peer Support Specialist, OnTrack

Northern Rivers Family of Services; Town of Colonie (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care package

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Holiday Pay

401K plan

Life Insurance

Loan repayment assistance

CEU opportunities

Job summary

Northern Rivers Family of Services is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to join the OnTrackNY team. You will work on-site with participants, families, and team members, using your lived experience to contribute to treatment planning and supportive outreach.

You will participate in weekly meetings and trainings, promote recovery-oriented approaches, and assist participants in moving toward school or work goals. A valid NY driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• NY Peer Specialist Certification (NYCPS) required.
• Provisional Peer Certificate accepted but must be fully certified within one year.
• Must have NYS Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Use personal recovery story to instill hope and aid engagement with participants and families.
• Assist outreach and retention efforts to keep participants connected to the program.
• Support in understanding psychosis and illness management with individuals or groups.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and empathy with participants and colleagues.
• Participate in team meetings and trainings with OnTrackNY Central offices.
• Provide case management support to help participants return to school or work.

Skills

Lived experience as peer

Empathy & active listening

Team collaboration

Education

HS diploma or GED

Job description

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will will work as part of an OnTrackNY team with program participants, family members, and other team members. The Peer Specialist will use lived experience to contribute to treatment planning for each participant. You will report to the Director of OnTrack and will work on-site with travel required.Responsibilities:Use your personal recovery story to instill hope and demonstrate goal attainment, using selective self-disclosure about lived experience with mental health problems, substance use, and other aspects of their lives, maintaining a primary focus on the issues participants present.Enhance initial outreach, engagement and retention efforts to help participants and families stay connected to the program.Assist in engagement and retention activities to promote optimum involvement with the team, including helping team to maintain a youth-focused, recovery-oriented approach to outreach before and after participants enroll in the program.Help individuals understand psychosis and develop and practice skills to help with illness management (individually or in groups).Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and work with participants of mental health services.Demonstrate excellent judgment and ability to understand boundaries when working with participants of mental health services and colleagues.Participate in activities related to community awareness of recovery and stigma reduction.Participate in outreach and recruitment activities with the team, forging relationships with community providers and conveying the “spirit of OnTrackNY”.Provide concrete and social supports to clients and families through case management supporting participant’s efforts towards returning to school or work.Aid participants and families as they transition from OnTrackNY services.Participate in in-person team meetings (weekly) and consultation calls/trainings with OnTrackNY Central offices.Requirements and Education:Requires a HS diploma or GED. No prior related work experience required.Requires New York Peer Specialist Certification (NYCPS).Can accept a provisional Peer Certificate but must be fully certified within one year of employment.Requires a NYS Driver's License.BenefitsHealth care package: medical, dental, and visionTuition reimbursementPaid time offHoliday Pay401 (K) planLife InsuranceLoan repayment assistanceFree training/CEU opportunitiesAbout Northern RiversAt Northern Rivers Family of Services, we work together to make a difference in our client's lives. Northern Rivers empowers children, adults, and families to change their lives and build stronger communities.Northern Rivers Family of Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire great people from a variety of backgrounds, not because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger! All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. We cherish the unique contributions of our diverse staff and are building a culture where everyone has the opportunity to do the meaningful work.