Peer Specialist

Liberty Resources • Auburn, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is hiring part-time Peer Specialists for its Cayuga Crisis Residence Program. The community-based crisis respite homes provide a therapeutic setting for adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Peer Specialists draw on lived experience and recovery-oriented approaches to support guests whose daily-life challenges may put them at risk of escalating symptoms that cannot be managed at home or in the community. The program’s goal is to stabilize a crisis, support a guest’s safe return to the community, and help prevent unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Using Recovery-Oriented Services, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Intentional Peer Support, the Peer Specialist provides recovery support and services related to health and wellness, crisis prevention, family support, conflict resolution, and referrals. The role also includes coverage according to the staffing plan, including overnights as required, and timely completion of required guest documentation.

The program operates in a home-like setting with a relaxed atmosphere and offers varied work hours, mentorship and entry-level growth opportunities, and Peer Certification hours. The position includes weekend and overnight hours. Starting pay is $20–$24 per hour, depending on certification status.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Personal experience with emotional, behavioral, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, or experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child with such disorders.
• Certified or provisionally certified by the New York State Office of Mental Health as a Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS), Family Peer Advocate (FPA), Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), or a peer specialist who has completed required state-approved training for their title; alternatively, must be willing to complete the certification process within six months of employment.
• Respect, compassion, and a high level of comfort working with 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.

Nice To Haves

• Current 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 for the applicable title.
• Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model.
• One to two years of personal recovery experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide services to Supportive Crisis Residence guests, including assistance with personal care and activities of daily living, peer support, engagement, safety planning, integrated direct care and support services, case management, medication management, and medication monitoring.
• Provide peer support in accordance 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 an integrated plan 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 as reflected in the staffing plan, including overnights as required.
• Complete required documentation within program timelines, including Individual Service Plans, Social Determinants of Health Assessments, Strengths and Needs Assessments, Safety Plans, Daily Progress Notes, and Discharge Summaries.

Benefits

• Home-like setting
• Relaxed atmosphere
• Variety of work hours
• Mentorship and entry-level experience with opportunities 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