Peer Support Employment Specialist

ZEPF CENTER•Toledo, OH

About The Position

Zepf Center is a behavioral health and substance use disorder services provider serving Lucas County and Northwest Ohio. The agency offers psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, crisis care, therapy, career development, wellness, and primary care services, and describes itself as a trauma-informed agency and environment for patients and staff. The Certified Peer Supporter: Employment Specialist serves as a role model and advocate for individuals experiencing mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, with a focus on helping clients attain and maintain employment. Drawing appropriately on lived experience in recovery, the specialist provides mentorship, recovery-based interventions related to employment, and help navigating available services. The role promotes empowerment and self-determination and provides education about recovery resources, community programs, and support networks. Services are provided in accordance with Ohio rules governing peer support services and certification. Work hours vary depending on the department. This is a grant-funded position, with funding ending June 30, 2027. The specialist supports clients through employment exploration, readiness coaching, job development, job search, placement, benefits navigation, and ongoing retention support. The role includes individual and group interventions, recovery and employment education, linkage with community and workforce resources, employer outreach, coordination with treatment teams, crisis support when needed, and documentation. The specialist also helps clients build life skills and natural support systems, advocate for themselves, and pursue individualized recovery, resiliency, wellness, and employment goals.

Requirements

Personal lived experience in recovery from mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorder.
Meet Ohio requirements for Certified Peer Recovery Supporter, including registration through OhioMHAS.
Complete the 16-hour online OhioMHAS E-Based Academy Course.
Complete at least 40 hours of peer service delivery training or have three years of formal experience in peer service delivery.
Pass the OhioMHAS Certified Peer Recovery Supporter exam.
Hold a high school diploma and have two years of work experience in social service, sales, business management, or a related field; or hold an associate degree and have one year of experience; or hold a bachelor’s degree (the posting’s wording concerning experience and field is unclear).
Hold a specialty designation in mental health and/or substance use disorder based on personal recovery experience.
Maintain at least one Ohio CPS certification.
Adhere to HIPAA and confidentiality regulations and Ohio law and licensing board requirements for certification and service delivery.
Have computer skills needed to document service interventions and the ability to use electronic health records.
Demonstrate communication and active listening skills, organization, attention to detail, reliability, empathy, collaboration, and the ability to establish trust and positive relationships.
Understand mental health and substance use disorder recovery principles.
Be able to work independently and as part of a team, maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, and demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse populations.
Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, knowledge of agency mission and policies, adherence to applicable codes of ethics, and commitment to improving agency operations.
For those eligible to drive company vehicles, have a valid driver’s license and eligibility for coverage under the agency’s commercial insurance carrier. Those driving personal vehicles for work must provide proof of insurance.

Responsibilities

Help individuals identify employment-related steps that support recovery, and develop safety, self-care, and recovery support plans for attaining and maintaining employment.
Facilitate individual and group interventions that help clients plan for recovery and employment.
Use evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing and Individual Placement and Support, to support clients in moving toward employment.
Educate clients about peer support programs, One Stop Services, workforce development programs, vocational rehabilitation, and other available resources.
Coordinate and link clients with recovery communities, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual, mutual self-help, and professional resources.
Provide recovery interventions that support functioning at home, in the community, at work, and in job training.
Support meaningful employment through peer mentorship, job development, employment-readiness coaching, benefits navigation, and long-term retention support.
Build trust and rapport, encourage hope, and model the possibility of recovery through treatment and recovery supports.
Provide career exploration, job-search, employment attainment, and employment-retention skill development.
Provide ongoing coaching, problem-solving, and workplace support to promote employment stability.
Facilitate peer-led support groups that provide support and empowerment.
Help individuals identify recovery goals and develop plans to achieve them; provide recovery education across stages of the recovery journey.
Coach clients in navigating systems and using services effectively, and support individualized plans to improve functioning at home, in the community, at work, or at school.
Develop customized readiness coaching and individualized service plans; support resume preparation and conduct practice interviews tailored to clients’ goals and abilities.
Coordinate with work incentive planners so clients can understand how earned income may affect healthcare, housing, and other public benefits.
Coach clients on building positive support systems and using technology for job search and career exploration.
Use lived experience appropriately to mentor and guide individuals in recovery.
Co-facilitate groups focused on recovery and employment skill-building using evidence-based interventions.
Promote self-advocacy and help clients express their needs, goals, and objectives; coach clients in using natural supports in family, workplace, and community settings.
Help individuals complete required forms and navigate workforce development programs and social service systems.
Maintain phone and/or email contact after clients leave the program to support ongoing success and re-engagement in partnership with agency staff as needed.
Coordinate or assist with crisis interventions and stabilization, and collaborate with staff to problem-solve and advocate for individuals in crisis.
Use assertive outreach and Systematic Job Development techniques to build relationships with local employers and identify flexible or unlisted opportunities aligned with client strengths, skills, and goals.
May assist in developing marketing materials about peer services consistent with agency policy and procedures.
Collaborate with treatment teams, with consent, on intake, discharge planning, and ongoing recovery efforts; participate in integrated team meetings.
Act as a liaison between individuals in recovery and service providers to support communication and problem resolution.
Maintain compliance with Ohio law, licensing requirements, ethical standards, and documentation requirements; document activities and interactions as directed by the supervisor.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, demonstrate cultural competence, and work independently and collaboratively.