Peer Specialist

Liberty Resources • Syracuse, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is seeking per diem Peer Specialists for its Onondaga Crisis Residence Program. The program operates community-based residential respite homes in Syracuse, Oneida, Oswego, and Auburn, with 3–8 beds at each location. These homes offer a therapeutic environment for adults experiencing a mental health crisis, with the goal of stabilizing the crisis, supporting a safe return to the community, and helping reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

The Peer Support Specialist supports people enrolled in the Supportive Crisis Residence who are experiencing challenges in daily life that could lead to an escalation of symptoms that cannot be managed at home or in the community. Using recovery-oriented services, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and intentional peer support, the specialist provides recovery support and contributes to the day-to-day operation of the residence. The role works with guests, families, Health Homes, hospitals, and treatment providers to coordinate person-centered care and community supports.

Liberty Resources describes its services as high-quality, integrated, and community-based, and emphasizes service, excellence, responsibility, staff support, diversity, and inclusion. The position offers a home-like setting, a relaxed atmosphere, varied work hours, mentorship and growth opportunities, and Peer Certification hours.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Peer certification or provisional certification, or completion of the required state-approved training for the relevant peer 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 required services to Supportive Crisis Residence guests, 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 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 integrated plans of care addressing 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 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 the ability to grow within the agency.
• Peer Certification hours.

What This Job Offers

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