PATH Peer Navigator

The Opportunity Alliance • South Portland, ME

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) team provides outreach, engagement, and referral services for people with mental illness and those with co-occurring substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness in York and Cumberland County. The Peer Navigator is an integrated peer support position for the PATH program. This position contributes to the accomplishment of the Agency’s mission through the provision of non-clinical activities that engage, educate and offer support and assistance to PATH members as well as provide guidance for PATH Case Managers on the team. The Peer Navigators provide outreach peer support services and resource information for the homeless individuals in the community. Outreach includes assertive and ongoing efforts to identify and engage homeless person and families who are not receiving services, for the purposes of linking them to a PATH Case Manager. Support and education is provided through outreach and engagement, guided by the Tasks and Principles of Intentional Peer Support. Peer Navigators will work with the PATH members, Peer Navigators and Case Managers as part of a service team. As part of the service team, Peer Navigators attend weekly program staff meetings, supervision meetings and participate in other leadership meetings as necessary. Peer Navigators will also attend all Intentional Peer Support co- reflections and trainings as required by the State of Maine certification process set forth by SAMHS.

Requirements

• Intentional Peer Support Specialist Certification: Ability to maintain certification (through attending quarterly required co-reflections, attaining required continuing education credits and successful fidelity review.)
• Ability to provide support according to the values and steps of the process required.
• Provisional CIPSS Certification required within 12 months of hire date.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be receiving or have received services and supports related to the diagnosis of a mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder, and be willing to self-identify and connect on this basis with peers and in the community.
• Must be in active recovery, and willing to self-identify and connect on this basis with peers and in the community, demonstrating a keen awareness of the stages of change and their individual wellness practices, and how each relates to their individual recovery process.
• Flexible and resourceful.
• Good communication skills.
• Computer proficiency required with ability to demonstrate basic computer skills.
• Skill in using Microsoft Office and email is required.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.

Nice To Haves

• Additional lifelong learning relevant to job preferred.
• Willingness to further develop communication skills (i.e. written, verbal, and computer.)

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach peer support services and resource information for homeless individuals.
• Engage in assertive and ongoing efforts to identify and engage homeless individuals and families not receiving services.
• Link homeless individuals to a PATH Case Manager.
• Provide support and education through outreach and engagement, guided by the Tasks and Principles of Intentional Peer Support.
• Work with PATH members, Peer Navigators, and Case Managers as part of a service team.
• Attend weekly program staff meetings, supervision meetings, and other leadership meetings as necessary.
• Attend all Intentional Peer Support co-reflections and trainings as required by the State of Maine certification process.
• Advocate for self and others.
• Identify resources in the community to support recovery.
• Navigate traditional and non-traditional systems.
• Model strengths-based interactions and treat all individuals with respect.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach to problem-solving.
• Establish rapport with consumers, family members, caregivers, and other resource providers.
• Keep focus on continual learning and moving towards positive goals.
• Perform basic computer skills, including data entry.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of volunteers, fellow workers, communities, resources, and cultures.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Plan and utilize time in an efficient manner.
• Exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Drive as necessary to attend meetings and trainings.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off accrual
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• Qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED