Peer Support Specialist

Community Human Services•Pittsburgh, PA

2d•$19

About The Position

The peer support specialist assists individuals throughout the recovery process, helping them gain skills, access resources, and regain the confidence to succeed in society. The peer support specialist assists program participants with basic life skills, such as bill paying and how to keep appointments, and provide encouragement and guidance for engaging with activities to engender feelings of support and community. The peer support specialist is also expected to work with and communicate directly with other staff members supportively and cooperatively, complete required documentation, manage crisis situations, and attend required training programs. CHS uses the Housing First and Harm Reduction service delivery models, assisting clients with housing as the immediate need without requirements to abstain from any harmful behavior prior to being housed.

Requirements

Act 34 Criminal, Act 33 Child Abuse, and FBI Criminal clearances.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Exceptional customer service communication.
Cultural competence, being able to work effectively with all backgrounds.
Experience and ability to de-escalate mental and behavioral health crisis situations
Strong organizational, phone and computer skills.
A working knowledge of the social service system through life or job-related experience.
A willingness to work both independently and collaboratively.
Strong ability to navigate the Internet to familiarize and access various resources.
Ability to work and travel independently.
Lived experience as it pertains to the participants CHS serves.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a peer support specialist is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist program participants in the development of skills, confidence, and relationships as they resume independent living
Facilitate groups in an open and welcoming environment
Provide direct peer counseling based on your own lived experiences
Help participants understand and employ recovery strategies
Complete required written documentation in a timely manner. This includes incidents reports, progress notes, goal record sheets, and other case record forms. Ensure that progress notes include the individual behaviors, activities, goal progress, any changes, daily interactions, needs, strengths, etc. to provide a thorough overview and on-going log
Complete data entry of information into the agency database and any funder-specific site for reporting purposes in a timely basis
Understand and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with the agency and program policies and procedures. Identify appropriate procedures for various situations
Maintain the physical site by assisting consumers or performing household duties and report any needed house-related repairs
Assist in cleaning the staff office and common spaces as needed
Ensure health and safety standards are met and maintained
Maintain an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in the office and common space
Attend necessary trainings and professional development sessions to enhance agency-wide knowledge. Attend a minimum of 15 hours per calendar year of training
Complete all job duties in accordance with the mission and values of CHS