Peer Specialist

Liberty Resources, Inc. • Rochester, NY

16d

About The Position

The Peer Specialist provides immediate peer support from initial engagement throughout a participant’s time in the program. The role uses the specialist’s lived experience with addiction, homelessness and/or mental health, sustained recovery expertise, and peer training to support participants’ recovery. The specialist also engages people experiencing homelessness with compassion, helps reduce barriers to services, and assists them in navigating housing and community resources.

The position includes training in Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Health Literacy, Narcan, Person-Centered Practices, Housing First, and Co-Occurring Disorder Integrated Care. The role works with an outreach team and coordinates with community services to support participants’ access to health care, insurance, housing, and recovery resources.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Self-identify as a current or former recipient of mental health, substance use, or medical services.
• Willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
• Valid New York State driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to understand, support, and work from a strength-based approach.
• Ability to display professionalism, build relationships, and collaborate with other service providers.
• Ability to solve complex problems creatively and treat participants with dignity and respect.
• Ability to de-escalate participants in times of crisis.
• If not already certified as a Certified Peer Specialist, agreement to complete the certification process.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model.
• One to two years of personal recovery experience.
• Certification as a Certified Peer Specialist through the Academy of Peer Services training program.
• Respect for and a high level of comfort around people experiencing mental health, medical, or substance-related crises.

Responsibilities

• Provide information about community recovery support services and help participants connect with supports they choose.
• Coordinate services and develop community relationships to improve individuals’ access to and ability to maintain health care, insurance, and housing.
• Use established best practices, procedures, and methods to provide peer support, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care to facilitate access to health services and improve participants’ health status.
• Provide support guided by the values of the Peer Model.
• Conduct street outreach with the outreach team to generate referrals to the program.
• Regularly check on the crisis apartments and clients associated with the program.
• Complete timely documentation consistent with best-practice record-keeping guidelines.
• Support participants using a strength-based approach, professionalism, relationship-building, collaboration, dignity, and respect; use creative problem-solving and de-escalation during crises.

What This Job Offers

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