Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) - Part Time

Child & Family Focus, Inc. • Levittown, PA

7d

About The Position

A Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) serves as an advocate and mentor to Transition Age Youth ages 14–26 with serious mental illness and/or emotional disturbance. Drawing on personal lived experience, the CPS helps young people develop community supports, navigate mental health systems, access resources, and maintain wellness and recovery. The role includes supporting individualized goals and guiding youth through the steps needed to achieve them.

The CPS meets with assigned youth at least weekly in their homes and communities. Support focuses on personal wellness and coping skills, social skills and community connections, education and employment opportunities, functioning in the young person’s environment, and daily living skills. The CPS may work individually or with colleagues, provide crisis support, facilitate practical activities, and promote informed choices, independence, and community participation.

Requirements

• Certified as a Peer Specialist (CPS).
• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and personal vehicle.
• Able to work at least 20 hours per week, including at least three evenings.
• Demonstrated stability and competency in personal wellness and recovery, including use of coping skills.
• Ability to reflect the culture and understand the values of the Transition Age Youth population.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Participate in weekly individual supervision.
• Travel locally in a personal vehicle to offsite locations as required by caseload, supervision, or training.
• Transport youth to community locations as needed.
• Document session activity in electronic health records, progress notes, and program-specific paperwork; organize program files and complete paperwork by required deadlines.
• Maintain a varied schedule that includes evenings.
• Meet at least weekly with all assigned youth on the caseload.
• Work individually and as part of a team with colleagues.
• Communicate and interact effectively with youth, peers, and community representatives.
• Serve as a role model and coach, using shared experiences to guide youth toward recovery.
• Help youth implement coping strategies and provide crisis support.
• Support the development of community roles and natural supports.
• Help youth access and participate in community events and activities.
• Cultivate youth’s ability to make informed, independent choices.
• Plan and facilitate practical activities that build self-worth and independence.
• Model and promote skills for community integration and independent living.
• Help youth develop and maintain positive personal and social support networks.
• Support youth in becoming active community members.
• Apply the five core values of Trauma-Informed Care—Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, and Empowerment—in all work practices.

Benefits

• Starting rate of $17 per hour.
• Annual rate increases.
• Nine paid holidays at four hours each, if maintaining 20 hours per week.
• Paid Time Off accrual, if maintaining 20 hours per week.
• 401(k) plan with company match and profit sharing.
• Mileage and expense reimbursement for travel and training.
• Clearance reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: High school or GED