PATH Peer Navigator

The Opportunity Alliance • Portland, ME

18h • $23 - $25 • Hybrid

About The Position

PATH Peer Navigator Behavioral Health Home (BHH) program Pay rate: $23 - 25/hour 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. Schedule: This is a 40 hour/week, hourly position. M – F, regular business hours Location: Office is based Portland, ME but this role has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. Some in office may be required for team meetings or other requirements, but his role can be primarily remote (in Maine).

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. Additional lifelong learning relevant to job preferred.
• Is receiving or has received services and supports related to the diagnosis of a mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder, and is 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, ability to advocate for self and others, ability to identify resources in the community to support recovery.
• Ability to navigate traditional and non-traditional systems.
• Models strengths-based interactions and treats all individuals with respect.
• Demonstrates ability to utilize strengths-based approach to problem solving.
• Good communication skills and an ability to establish rapport with consumers, family members, caregivers and other resource providers.
• Willingness to further develop communication skills (i.e. written, verbal, and computer.)
• Demonstrated ability to keep focus on continual learning and moving towards positive goals rather than away from what is not wanted.
• Computer proficiency required with ability to demonstrate basic computer skills. Skill in using Microsoft Office and email is required. There will be some simple data entry.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of volunteers, fellow workers, communities, resources and cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrates high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Plans and utilizes time in an efficient manner.
• 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.
• Must be able to 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.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Work with the PATH members, Peer Navigators and Case Managers as part of a service team.
• Attend weekly program staff meetings, supervision meetings and participate in other leadership meetings as necessary.
• Attend all Intentional Peer Support co- reflections and trainings as required by the State of Maine certification process set forth by SAMHS.

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 (all employees are eligible)
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

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