Peer Supporter (Latino Access)

Project Return Peer Support Network; Huntington Park (CA); On-site; USD 47,125 - 65,975; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

403 B Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

A mental health support organization in Huntington Park is seeking a Peer Support Specialist. You'll develop support groups and assist clients in overcoming mental health challenges. Candidates must have lived experience with psychiatric disability and be fluent in English and Spanish. The role offers a flexible schedule and benefits including paid time off and a voluntary retirement plan.

Qualifications

• The position is reserved for an individual with lived experience of psychiatric disability or mental illness.
• Demonstrated experience in peer support, peer advocacy or self-help.
• Basic knowledge in Microsoft applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop support groups on mental health education and self-help opportunities.
• Provide supportive assistance to clients to help them obtain their goals.
• Complete documentation and other paperwork timely.

Skills

Peer support experience

Fluent in English and Spanish

Sensitivity and discretion

Ability to work with individuals in distress

Education

Peer Advocate Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Pay Range: $47,125.00 - $65,975.00

Reports to: Program Director

Summary: Works under general supervision of the Program Director to provide peer to peer support and/or self-help services to other clients and their family members as needed, requested, or directed.

Responsibilities

• Develop support groups on mental health education and self-help opportunities and services for clients as identified, needed or requested.
• Develop and implement support group for adults experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
• Provide supportive assistance to and the modeling of self-advocacy with the client to help them obtain their goals.
• Encourage and support client’s skill and talents.
• Research, develop, plan, coordinate and/or offer structured workshops.
• Complete documentation and other paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, and in accordance with PRPSN standards and funding source requirements.
• Create linkages in the community with academic skills enhancement resources, social and recreational activities.
• Work actively to develop strategies for outreach to clients who tend to isolate themselves.
• Establish and maintain communication with contacts at the centers, schools, or churches in which the groups take place.
• Update supervisor of all threatening developments in the groups, outside activities performed by volunteers, and all venues or potential contacts.
• Promote and remind individuals that Un Paso Mas main objective is to educate the Latino community on mental health issues while reducing stigma.
• Work cooperatively with others to ensure the smooth and seamless delivery of comprehensive services to members.
• Attend required training and meetings and participate actively in the community life of the worksite.
• Clerical tasks including data entry, faxing, copying, sorting and distributing mail, producing letters of attendance, minutes, and reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the program and activities.
• Demonstrate a desire to work with individuals in extreme distress or mental illness and belief in an individual’s ability to recover from disabling mental distress.
• Verbalize an initial and ongoing understanding of environmental variables that may present while performing administrative tasks or providing direct services as a PRPSN employee.
• Exhibit good personal judgment, a non-bias attitude, sensitivity, and discretion when dealing with others; work well with co-workers, program participants, family members, and community partners.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.
• Model PRPSN approach, mission and core values in all communication and correspondence.

Qualifications

• The position is reserved for an individual with lived experience of psychiatric disability or mental illness.
• Peer Advocate Certificate/Training and demonstrated experience in peer support, peer advocacy or self-help. Obtaining a Peer Specialist certificate within 6 months will be required for any candidate that doesn’t currently have one.
• Experience working in the mental health field or other social services.
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Knowledge of/experience with Peer Advocacy highly desired.
• Class C driver’s license and clean driving record. Proof of valid automobile insurance and ability to be insured by Project Return’s liability insurance.
• Flexible schedule which may include occasional evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Basic knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. PowerPoint highly desired.
• Experience working with a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds and with varied skills/education.
• Employees are required to carry adequate liability limits, with a minimum of $30,000 for property damage and $60,000 for bodily injury. A copy of the declaration page of your personal automobile insurance policy must be provided to PRPSN annually.
• Knowledge of benefit options, including two HMO choices, dental and vision care.

Benefits

• We offer a choice between two different HMO's, dental and vision care.
• Paid Time Off
• We offer a combination of 11 holidays, 2 weeks of sick time, 2 weeks of vacation time and 2 personal days off per full time employee
• 403 B Retirement
• We offer a voluntary 403 B retirement plan for your future
• Employee Assistance Program
• We offer an EAP that is confidential and supportive for personal, family and work issues. EAP is available 24/7