Housing Mobile Team Peer Specialist

Community Access Inc•New York, NY

About The Position

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT). Program/Department Description Community Access provides affordable housing, supportive services, education, training and employment services, integrated rehabilitation and treatment services, and care coordination to individuals with psychiatric disabilities, histories of homelessness, substance use, criminal justice involvement and serious health concerns. The Housing department provides permanent and affordable supportive housing for individuals living with mental health concerns and low-income community residents and families, as well as licensed transitional residential programs for individuals moving from institutions into the community. Services are geared towards assisting people in maintaining their housing and moving forward with their lives in stable community-based environments. Position Overview The Housing Mobile Team Peer Specialist is an integral part of Community Access’ mobile multi-disciplinary team that supports tenants with complex mental health needs across our supportive housing programs in NYC. The Peer Specialist uses their lived experience with the mental health system to engage and support program participants who are experiencing mental health crises that are impacting their ability to maintain their housing in the community. Using a peer support, person-centered model the Peer Specialist supports individuals in developing new coping strategies, assessing risk, maintaining their housing, accessing community-based treatment and support services, connecting to community, family and social support networks and providing hope and connection. Recovery experience related to substance use services along with mental health preferred. The Peer Specialist engages and builds trusting relationships with program participants and their networks to support the person’s recovery.

Requirements

Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access, with particular expertise in recovery-oriented service delivery.
Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants’ rights, and self-determination in service provision.
New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Provisional, or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) required.
Lived experience within the mental health system required, and a history of homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, and experience with substance use services, preferred.
Minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with individuals with a mental health condition, substance use disorder, and / or history of trauma.
Available to work a flexible schedule, mornings, evenings and weekends in response to participant needs.
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Be creative and flexible.
Able to show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Be skilled in conflict mediation/negotiation and have an assertive approach to problem solving.
Must be able to work in the community, including use of public transportation across the boroughs
Computer proficiency in Windows operating systems and programs, such as MS Word and Excel, as well as comfort with learning new electronic systems.
Must be fingerprinted and cleared through a background clearance process.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience within the mental health system required, and a history of homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, and experience with substance use services, preferred.
Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred. Ability to speak other relevant languages, dependent on specific needs of program participants.

Responsibilities

Ensure that all services, follow- up and documentation are completed on time including:
100% of assessments for the program are completed on time.
Complete weekly progress notes for each participant on caseload within 48 hours of the meetings.
Consistently document 40 hours of direct service work each month.

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