Peer Support Specialist for Stepping Up

Forsyth County • 27101, NC

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Forsyth County Behavioral Health Services Department is seeking two Peer Support Specialists for the Stepping Up program. The position primarily performs one-on-one peer counseling to participants of the Stepping Up Program. The position will be responsible for providing one-on-one and group Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to the Stepping Up participants, as well as providing WRAP to community agencies and Forsyth County citizens. This position includes direct participant contact with individuals who are referred from the Forsyth County Detention Center and the community. It is expected that at least half of the working hours will be in the detention facility or in the community. The Peer Support Specialist will be responsible for establishing strong relationships with participants, families, community agencies, stakeholders and others as indicated. The position functions as a liaison to the participants who are incarcerated and provides a warm hand-off to the community upon release. The position also includes participation in community events for the Behavioral Health Services department. A valid driver's license is required to drive to community agencies, field visits, trainings, etc. and is eligible to operate county vehicles. There may be occasions where the Peer Support Specialist drives program participants to appointments.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED, or an Associate's degree with one year experience as a Peer Support Specialist.
• Peer Support Specialist certification is required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Knowledge of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and WRAP tenants.
• Experience in facilitating WRAP and support groups.
• Knowledge of Behavioral Health system in Forsyth County.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 and programs.
• Ability to report data as it pertains to WRAP efforts, facilitation, and peer visits.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with participants, provider agencies, community stakeholders, and local/state benefits agencies.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Knowledge of the specialized population to which the employee is assigned.
• Thorough knowledge of public and private community resources to assist participants with appropriate referrals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and other professionals.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) trainer preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provides one-on-one peer counseling to understand the service needs of program participants for referral to community agencies.
• Assists in developing recovery plans and supports participants' follow-through to meet plan goals and target dates.
• Provides WRAP training to participants.
• Receives ongoing training in peer counseling and human services interaction.
• Interacts daily with participants of the Stepping Up program through community field work, office, & telephone communications.
• Assists the Stepping Up Program Supervisor with administrative duties to include collecting data from participants to establish program performance outcomes.
• Functions as a liaison to incarcerated participants and provides a warm hand-off to the community upon release.
• Participates in community events for the Behavioral Health Services department.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree