Peer Specialist

Services For The Underserved, Inc.•New York, NY

7d•$37,000 - $40,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist understands, shares, and discusses multiple frameworks for understanding life experiences such as homelessness and mental illness with participants and the S:US team. Peer Specialists intentionally use language to listen for understanding and make space for complex personal stories of recovery and resilience.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Peer Certification for NYS OASAS or NYS OMH is required; individuals who are not certified must work toward certification upon employment.
Two years of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, participant-run organizations, or similar experiences or programs.
Must be able to disclose their recovery story where appropriate for empowerment.
Excellent judgment and the ability to understand boundaries when working with participants in mental health services.
Good interpersonal communication skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to, and effectively work with participants in mental health services.
Ability to make positive and productive progress toward their own recovery.

Nice To Haves

College or continuing education preferred.
Basic computer skills, such as use of Microsoft Office Suite and Windows.
Bilingual English/Spanish speaking preferred.

Responsibilities

Empathize and relate to tenants of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, disclosing their own recovery story where appropriate.
Empower tenants to continue making positive progress toward recovery by connecting them with self-help activities and providing advocacy.
Follow the on-call cell phone system to facilitate crisis intervention, emergencies, and other situations requiring immediate action.
Complete additional duties assigned by the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Regional Director, or Vice Presidents.
Make positive and productive progress toward their own recovery.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication and the ability to empathize with, relate to, and work effectively with participants in mental health services.
Disclose their recovery story where appropriate to empower participants.