Veteran Peer Support Specialist

The Guidance Center•Taylor, MI

About The Position

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives since 1958. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 18,000 people annually. Together we: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being. We have an exciting opportunity for a Veteran Peer Support Specialist to join our team of talented professionals. We have a market-based compensation structure. The estimated salary for this position will vary based on a candidate's transferable work experience and qualifications. This is a salary grade 102. Hourly rates start at $17.57. The range provided is just one component of total compensation including a comprehensive benefit package of affordable medical plans, employer paid dental, vision and long-term disability, 401(K) with employer contribution, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent, paid time off, 11 paid holidays and biweekly incentives. As a Veteran Peer in the Adult Behavioral Health Program, you will be responsible for the following: Deliver peer support services, consistent with existing Medicaid guidelines, to individual mental health consumers or groups of consumers. Veteran Peers promote and model recovery and assist consumers in developing skills necessary to access community resources, live more independently, improve their health and wellness, continue their education, and pursue opportunities for meaningful work in their communities. Public speaking and committee work within and outside of the agency are also required. Regular business hours are 8:30 am to 7 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:30 am to 5 pm on Friday. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.

Requirements

Veteran Peer Support Specialists (Peers) are military veterans who are also mental health consumers who are committed to their own recovery and helping to facilitate the recovery of veterans and other adults with mental illness.
Candidates for this position must have experience receiving mental health treatment and/or recovery support services.
Recipients of community mental health services are preferred.
Veteran Peers must be willing to use their own recovery experience as a vehicle to help others.
More specifically, candidates must be willing to share their personal stories of recovery with individual mental health consumers, groups of consumers, and as part of organized public speaking engagements.
Veteran Peers must be willing to participate in training and supervision to enhance their ability to engage consumers, and to improve their understanding of the fundamental principles of recovery, peer support and self-determination.
Candidates must have a valid Michigan driver’s license and a good driving record.
Candidates must also be able to obtain and retain a Chauffeur’s license and meet the eligibility driving requirements as defined by current insurance company.
Candidates must demonstrate a nonjudgmental approach that reflects cultural competency, and sensitivity to the unique needs and diverse experiences of veterans and other people with mental illness and their families.
Veteran Peers must demonstrate the ability to establish working relationships with mental health consumers, provide direct assistance with access to community resources, facilitate educational workshops, support groups and recovery-oriented activities for consumers and their families.
Candidates must be comfortable interacting with the public under a broad range of circumstances and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Candidates must be able to organize their work, and complete tasks within established timeframes.

Responsibilities

Deliver peer support services, consistent with existing Medicaid guidelines, to individual mental health consumers or groups of consumers.
Veteran Peers promote and model recovery and assist consumers in developing skills necessary to access community resources, live more independently, improve their health and wellness, continue their education, and pursue opportunities for meaningful work in their communities.
Public speaking and committee work within and outside of the agency are also required.