Job Posting CLOSED
Peer Support Specialist
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:
Within Catholic Charities Transitional Housing program, the Peer Support
Specialist provides peer support, mentorship, and advocacy to individuals
experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with a focus on those facing substance
use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. By utilizing their lived
experience and recovery journey, this position is responsible for building
trusting relationships, offering emotional support, empowering participants,
and assisting participants in accessing community resources.
Salary: Starting Wage of $18.00-$19/hr. dependent on education and experience.
Schedule: Full-time, 35/hrs. a week
We offer a comprehensive benefits package (see below) to our full-time workforce members who work 30 or more hours per week.
Who are we looking for?
· Someone who is passionate about making a positive impact in the community.
· Someone who values partnership and works well both individually and as a part of a team.
· Someone who is empathetic, ethical, and goal orientated.
· Someone with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Someone with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
· Someone who demonstrates ethical business practices, in conformance with all state and federal laws and regulations.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
·
Peer Support and Advocacy:
o
Act as a mentor, advocate, and ally to program
participants, providing supplemental support to program clients in their
recovery journey.
o
Provide emotional support during crises and challenges, promoting
self-efficacy and hope.
o
Establish trusting relationships with participants,
providing support, encouragement, and peer-based guidance.
o
Advocate for participants' needs within the program,
community, and with external service providers, serving as an ally in
navigating systems and accessing resources.
o
Engagement and Outreach:
·
Engage with participants through various mediums to offer
ongoing support and connection.
o
Conduct outreach efforts to connect individuals who may
benefit from peer support services.
·
Collaboration and Networking:
o
Collaborate with program staff to ensure holistic support
and service coordination.
o
Build and maintain relationships with community
organizations and support networks to enhance resources.
·
Self-Care and Professional Development:
o
Prioritize personal well-being through self-care
practices.
o
Engage in ongoing training and professional development
to enhance peer support skills.
·
Assess Needs and Provide Support:
o
Collaborate with clients to identify additional service
needs beyond housing stability.
o
Research and provide information on community resources
and support services.
o
Assist clients in completing necessary paperwork and
provide transportation to appointments as needed.
o
Offer guidance in building tenancy and independent living
skills.
o
Provide emotional and crisis support to clients,
including during evening/weekend hours or on call as necessary.
·
Shared Responsibility for:
o
Collaborating with program staff to assist individuals in
developing person-centered support plans focused on housing stability, recovery
goals, and community integration.
o
Providing input and feedback based on expertise, whether
it's in case management, peer support principles, or other relevant
experiences.
o
Adhering to program policies and procedures for
addressing client complaints, incidents, and violations of occupancy
agreements.
o
Supporting participants in understanding program
regulations and expectations for maintaining housing stability.
o
Working collaboratively with clients, program staff, and
external service providers to develop and manage recovery-focused care plans
tailored to individual needs and preferences.
o
Advocating for and facilitate access to a range of
services and supports, including health care, substance use treatment,
employment assistance, and basic living needs assistance.
o
Completing
other duties as assigned.
TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: The Peer Support Specialist will report to the CCFL Supervisor for
Clinical Supervision and CCTT Program Coordinator for Day-to-Day
Supervision.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: High School Diploma/GED or equivalent
combination of education and experience.
Credential: Certification as a New York State Office of
Mental Health (OMH) Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or New York State Office
of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Certified Peer Recovery Advocate
(CPRA), or willingness to work towards certification.
Experience: Minimum of five years of experience working
with substance use and mental health community preferred.
Lived experience of
homelessness or in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges.
Previous experience as a
recipient of substance use, mental health, or dual diagnosis services.
Strong commitment to peer
support principles, empowerment, and recovery-oriented practices.
Knowledge of recovery and/or
overcoming challenges resulting from mental illness diagnosis.
Knowledge of HIPAA, administrative record keeping
functions and filing systems.
Requirements:
2. Strong communication,
interpersonal, and active listening skills.
3. Ability to maintain
confidentiality, uphold ethical standards, and establish professional
boundaries.
4. Compassionate and
nonjudgmental approach to supporting individuals in crisis.
5. Ability to collaborate
effectively with diverse stakeholders and service providers.
6. Flexibility to adapt to
changing priorities and participant needs.
7. Willingness to work
occasional evening/weekend hours and be available on-call as needed.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
·
Strong communication,
interpersonal, and active listening skills.
·
Ability to maintain confidentiality,
uphold ethical standards, and establish professional boundaries.
·
Compassionate and nonjudgmental
approach to supporting individuals in crisis.
·
Ability to collaborate
effectively with diverse stakeholders and service providers.
·
Flexibility to adapt to
changing priorities and participant needs.
·
Willingness to work occasional
evening/weekend hours and be available on-call as needed.
·
Ability to multi-task and
prioritize duties.
·
Willingness to foster agency,
department and program wide cooperation and team work through use of
positive/constructive communication techniques.
·
Ability to maintain absolute
confidentiality in all records reviewed including consumer records, employee
records and billing records.
·
Proficiency and experience with
PC’s and Microsoft applications.
·
Ability to analyze and
interpret data and to handle problem resolution.
·
Possession of a valid NYS
Driver’s license and a driver's record considered acceptable by agency and
insurance carrier.
·
Continuous use of a reliable,
registered and insured vehicle
·
Willingness to travel within
the region.
·
Demonstrate commitment to
Agency Mission Statement.
· Adheres to all applicable
federal and state laws and regulations including, but not limited to, those
governing confidentiality, privacy, program, billing and documentation
standards. All duties must be performed in accordance with Catholic Charities Diocese
of Rochester’s corporate compliance and ethics program.
The Peer Support Specialist is an employee of Catholic
Charities Finger Lakes that is integrated within the Catholic Charities
Tompkins Tioga transitional housing program. This position will operate under a
dual-supervision model, with oversight provided by both CCFL and CCTT to ensure
seamless delivery of service in alignment with program goals. This position
collaborates closely with the Intensive Case Manager, Residential Director, and
other program staff to ensure coordinated support for participants.
Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without
reasonable accommodation:
· Use hands to manipulate, handle, feel, and
control items or equipment, including motor vehicle;
· Stand, sit, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and
reach;
· Climb up or down stairs;
· Able to reach above or below shoulders;
· Occasionally lift or move objects weighing up
to 10 lbs;
· Sitting at a desk or in a vehicle for long
periods of time to perform certain job functions;
·
Ability to read write and
interpret written documents;
What you will get:
Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program:
· Salary: $18.00 an hour dependent on education, experience, and licensure.
· Full time, non-exempt position. We believe in work-life balance!
· Paid Time Off: Accrue up to 10 days in the first year, 15 days after 1st Anniversary.
· Holidays: 12 paid holidays
· NY State Paid Sick Leave
· Agency Sick Leave
· Medical Insurance
· Dental Insurance
· Vision Insurance
· Group and Term Life Insurance
· Short-Term Disability
· Long-Term Disability
· Supplemental Insurances
o Hospital
o Accident
o Auto
o Pet
o Specified Disease
· Flexible Spending Account
· Legal Plan
· Identity Plan
· Employee Assistance Program
· 403b Retirement Plan, with agency contribution for those that qualify (subject to agency performance)
· My Better Benefits – provides discounts and savings on thousands of products and services.
Our hiring process and timeline:
· Applications will be reviewed regularly until the position is filled.
· Phone screenings will be conducted with qualified candidates.
· In-person one-hour interviews will be conducted with candidates who advance after the phone screening.
· In-person interviews are typically with 2-4 Interviewers.
Selected candidate(s) to start ASAP.
***Catholic Charities is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our agencies and our people. EOE/AA Disability/Vet