Peer Support Specialist - Substance Abuse (Mt. Sterling, KY)

Pathways Inc.; Mount Sterling (KY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Pathways Inc. seeks a full-time Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide individual and group peer support to youth and young adults in Kentucky.

The role emphasizes sharing recovery experiences, promoting hope, and helping clients build coping skills and resilience. The position requires lived experience with mental health services, the ability to build supportive relationships, and collaboration with interagency teams.

Qualifications

• Lived experience as a consumer of mental health services is required.
• Ability to build rapport and establish supportive relationships with youth and young adults.
• Experience collaborating with interagency or multidisciplinary teams is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults.
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing recovery experience and promoting hope and resiliency.
• Teach coping skills, self-help strategies, and recovery-oriented techniques.
• Support consumers in identifying strengths, goals, and community resources.
• Advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure needs are addressed.
• Communicate consumer-related concerns to supervisor promptly.
• Collaborate with interagency teams and community partners to support coordinated care.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with agency policies and regulations.
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and supervision as required.

Skills

Lived experience

Rapport building

Interagency collaboration

Cultural competency

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Advocacy

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Pathways complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, pregnancy status, victim status, marital status, member of the armed services or covered veteran status, or any other status that is protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. This policy includes, but is not limited to: recruitment, employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, termination, compensation, benefits, layoffs, training, and social and recreational programs.

Salary: $32,500 - $36,562

Job Type: Full-Time

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required

Certification/License Requirements

• Certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) required or ability to obtain certification within agency-required timeframe
• Must meet YPSS eligibility criteria of 35 years old or younger

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing personal recovery experience and promoting hope and resiliency
• Teach effective coping skills, self-help strategies, and recovery-oriented techniques
• Support consumers in identifying strengths, goals, and community resources
• Advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure needs and concerns are addressed appropriately
• Communicate consumer-related concerns and updates to supervisor in a timely manner
• Collaborate with interagency teams and community partners to support coordinated care
• Maintain documentation and records in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and supervision as requiredPerform all other duties as assigned

Skills & Knowledge

• Must have lived experience as a consumer of mental health services
• Ability to build rapport and establish supportive relationships with youth and young adults
• Experience collaborating with interagency or multidisciplinary teams preferred
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn:
  • System of Care principles
  • Care planning and Wraparound services
  • Cultural competency
  • Evidence-based practices in mental health and adolescent substance abuse treatment
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality

This is a full time position