Peer Support Specialist, OnTrack (26711)

Northern Rivers Family of Services; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care package

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Holiday Pay

401 (K) plan

Life Insurance

Loan repayment assistance

Free training/CEU opportunities

Job summary

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

The role requires a NYS Driver's License, a NY Peer Specialist Certification (provisional accepted with 1-year certification)and a HS diploma or GED. Travel up to 50% is possible; on-site work is expected.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• New York Peer Specialist Certification (NYCPS) required.
• Provisional Peer Certificate accepted but must be fully certified within one year of employment.
• Requires NYS Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Use your personal recovery story to instill hope and demonstrate goal attainment while maintaining focus on participants' needs.
• Engage participants and families to promote retention in the program.
• Support youth-focused, recovery-oriented outreach before and after enrollment.
• Help participants understand psychosis and develop illness-management skills (individually or in groups).
• Demonstrate empathy and strong interpersonal communication with participants and colleagues.

Education

HS diploma or GED

New York Peer Specialist Certification (NYCPS)

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Albany-New Karner-PCFC - Albany, NY, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $24.00 - $25.00Hourly, Travel Percentage: Up to 50% , 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.

Benefits

• Health care package: medical, dental, and vision
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Holiday Pay
• 401 (K) plan
• Life Insurance
• Loan repayment assistance
• Free training/CEU opportunities

About Northern Rivers

At 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 othercharacteristicprotected under applicable law. We cherishthe unique contributions of our diverse staff and are building a culture where everyone has the opportunity to do the meaningful work.