Peer Specialist

Liberty Resources, Inc. • Auburn, NY

11d • $20 - $24

About The Position

Liberty Resources is seeking part-time Peer Specialists for its Cayuga Crisis Residence Program. Crisis Residences are community-based residential programs that provide a therapeutic, home-like environment for adults experiencing mental health crises. Peer Specialists use lived experience and recovery-oriented approaches to support guests whose daily-life challenges may put them at risk of an escalation of symptoms that cannot be managed at home or in the community. The program’s goal is to stabilize a crisis, support guests’ safe return to their communities, and help reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Peer Specialists provide recovery support and services that may include health and wellness coaching, recurrence-prevention planning, wellness activities, family support, conflict resolution, advocacy, referrals, and linkage to services. They work with guests and community providers through person-centered, self-directed approaches, using Recovery-Oriented Services, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Intentional Peer Support. The role also includes crisis intervention, support with daily living and personal care, medication-related support, and required program documentation. Coverage may include overnight shifts.

Liberty Resources describes its workplace as a home-like setting with a relaxed atmosphere and a variety of work hours. The position offers mentorship, entry-level experience with opportunities for growth within the agency, and Peer Certification hours. The organization emphasizes high-quality, integrated, community-based services and a diverse workforce that respects the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities served.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Certified or provisionally certified by the Office of Mental Health as a Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS), Family Peer Advocate (FPA), Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), or completion of all required state-approved training for the applicable title; alternatively, willingness to complete the certification process within six months of employment.
• Personal experience with emotional, behavioral, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, or experience as the parent or primary caregiver of a child with such disorders.
• Respect, compassion, and a high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crises.
• Ability to use critical thinking, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills to help create and maintain an environment that promotes recovery.
• Availability for weekend and overnight coverage as required.

Nice To Haves

• Certification or provisional certification as a Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS), Family Peer Advocate (FPA), or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), or completion of the required state-approved training.
• Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model, with one to two years of personal recovery experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide services to guests enrolled in the Supportive Crisis Residence, including assistance with personal care and activities of daily living, peer support, engagement, safety planning, integration of direct care and support services, case management, medication management, and medication monitoring.
• Provide peer support consistent with Peer and Recovery-Oriented models of support.
• Provide crisis intervention and help individuals view crises differently and use wellness tools to prevent future crises or reduce their intensity.
• Work with Health Homes, hospitals, and treatment providers using a person-centered, self-directed approach to develop integrated plans of care covering mental health, physical health, substance use services, and community supports.
• Provide advocacy, peer support, referrals, and linkage services for program guests as needed.
• Provide program coverage according to the staffing plan, including overnights as required.
• Complete required documentation, including Individual Service Plans, Social Determinants of Health Assessments, Strengths and Needs Assessments, Safety Planning, Daily Progress Notes, and Discharge Summaries, within program timelines and standards.

Benefits

• Home-like setting.
• Relaxed atmosphere.
• Variety of work hours.
• Mentorship and entry-level experience with opportunity for growth in the agency.
• Peer Certification hours.

What This Job Offers

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