Peer Specialist

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

2d•$37,000 - $40,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist needs to be able to understand, share, and discuss multiple frameworks for understanding life experiences such as homelessness and mental illness with participants and the rest of the S:US team. Peer Specialists intentionally use language in the service of listening to understand and making space for complex personal stories of recovery and resilience.

Requirements

Two years of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, or participant run organizations or similar experiences or programs required.
Must be able to disclose their recovery story (where appropriate) for empowerment.
Excellent judgment/ ability to understand boundaries when working with participants of mental health services is required.
HSD or equivalent required
Peer Certification for NYS OASAS or NYS OMH is a requirement, individuals who are not certified must work towards achieving certification upon employment

Nice To Haves

College or continuing education preferred
Basic computer skills (e.g. MS Office suite and Windows)
Bilingual English/Spanish speaking preferred

Responsibilities

Empathize and relate to tenants of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds disclosing where appropriate their own recovery story
Empower tenants to continue making positive progress towards recovery by helping to connect with self-help activities and providing advocacy
Adhere to on call cell phone system to facilitate crisis intervention, emergencies and other situations that require immediate action.
Willing and able to complete any additional assigned duties given by Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Regional Director and or Vice Presidents.
Making positive and productive progress toward his or her own recovery.
Demonstrate good interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and effectively work with participants of mental health services.