Peer Support Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma or higher.
• At least one year of therapeutic intervention experience applying a comprehensive range of case management, substance abuse counseling, assessment, and crisis intervention skills.
• Lived experience with mental health challenges and/or recovery from a substance use disorder, and prior involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Wellness and Recovery Model, the Supported Employment Model, and other evidence-based practices.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a multidisciplinary team and with clients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Food handler permit to serve food at a residential care facility.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and fluency in spoken and written Spanish.
• Ability to maintain proper documentation as determined by program requirements.
• Basic knowledge of computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work a flexible full-time schedule, including some evening and weekend hours.

Nice To Haves

• Associate of Arts (AA) degree or higher from an accredited institution.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals living with serious mental illness in establishing a path toward recovery and stability.
• Provide care and case management, mental health and substance use recovery and wellness services, and crisis prevention and intervention as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct intakes and comprehensive assessments with adults who may have psychiatric and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Help clients create individual service plans based on recovery goals and steps to achieve those goals.
• Advocate for and liaise with participants within the criminal justice system, shelter system, hospitals, and outpatient services.
• Provide or connect participants with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, housing applications and placement, and life-skills training.
• Assist in developing community support systems and networks.
• Use motivational interviewing and recovery- and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
• Set up and sustain peer self-help and educational groups.
• Prepare, store, or serve food.
• Maintain accurate records after each client contact or service and complete electronic data entry in accordance with documentation and program compliance standards.
• Complete administrative tasks within timelines, including chart completion and meeting attendance.
• Contribute to team meetings and case conferences through case presentations, discussion of clinical issues, and exchange of information and ideas.
• Adhere to confidentiality laws and reporting requirements.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet program goals and objectives.