Recovery Residence Support Staff - Womens Residential

Commonspace

Commonspace is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that exists to help improve the lives of community members who have been impacted by mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, trauma, and poverty. Commonspace works to create shared spaces of care, justice, and recovery in all its forms. We witness and celebrate recovery every day, working towards a society where all people are valued, nourished, loved, and appreciated for their unique contribution to our shared and mutually dependent existence.

Recovery Residence Peer Support Staff

Freedom Place Women's Residence

Position Summary

Commonspace offers a variety of recovery treatment facilities through its housing programs. Freedom Place is a home & community for Women offering 24/7 onsite recovery & peer support. The focus of Freedom Place Residence is to build a supportive community for women rising above the impacts of chronic homelessness and chronic substance use. Carrying out our agency mission, we believe that recovery comes in many forms, and that each person has the capacity to be the expert of their own life. We believe this model fosters an environment where both staff and residents alike are able to grow from their shared experiences in a safe and supportive way to learn from their history and build toward a healthy future together.

The Women's Recovery Residence Peer Support Staff supports our women’s housing program through individual and communal engagement. The position reports to the Team Leads, attends weekly housing meetings, maintaining daily chores & tasks, enforces house rules, co-learns harm reduction, and fosters a community where residents are involved in their own decision-making. Most of our prospective and current residents have a history of long-term homelessness and chronic substance use. The Women's Recovery Residence Support Staff ensures that the residence is a safe and empowering community space. Each resident is accountable to their community; and the community is accountable to each resident.

The Residential Support Staff likely has lived experience of challenges related to mental health/substance use and must have a shared commitment to the thoughtful and intentional support of our peers who are currently impacted by issues such as homelessness, generational poverty, legal system involvement, and complex trauma. An ability to navigate complex situations and maintain one’s own mental and physical health is of the utmost importance within our programs.

Responsibilities

• Understanding of and alignment with Commonspace’s mission; peer support best practices; low-barrier service provision; harm reduction philosophy; social, racial and economic justice; and knowledge of populations served by agency programs
• Build supportive and positive relationships with residents
• Ensure that house rules are being followed and maintained at all times
• Offer real-time mentorship and guidance to residents and provide a consistent presence within the program
• Support with and attend weekly housing meetings, one-on-one meetings, and other groups as requested by the Team Leads
• Support with resident move-ins and move-outs with appropriate paperwork as needed
• Assist new residents in acclimating to the house
• Create an environment conducive to open communication between residents and staff
• Communicate incidents, shift duties, et al. to the Program Coordinator at the close of each shift
• Provide thoughtful and meaningful insight to the Team Leads and Coworkers to improve systems
• Participate in team meetings as a thought partner for events and workshops that can help enrich the lives of those you are working with and those who are residing in the program
• Maintain a working knowledge of the needs of early recovery and vulnerable populations (those with experiences of substance use disorder, trauma, poverty, incarceration, sex work, etc.)
• Respond with positive regard to the transitions of vulnerable populations into housing and recovery (successes and struggles; relearning; belongingness; hoarding, et al.)
• Demonstrate understanding that there are multiple pathways to recovery
• Respond to medical crisis including overdose
• Provide crisis intervention as needed
• Report and update on residential needs and resources to the Program Coordinator for assessment and planning
• Provide on call support as necessary to ensure support is maintained as scheduled
• Knowledge of recovery resources and dedication to learning more about recovery supports
• Attend Naloxone administration trainings as required

Required Cultural Qualifications:

• Acknowledgement and belief that all paths of recovery are valid and that each person is best suited to define their own path
• Lived experience with substance use, incarceration, or long-term homelessness, with a strong ability to communicate and share their personal path to recovery
• Working knowledge of recovery resources and the recovery community
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality

Support and Development

• Residential Support Staff will meet with the Team Leads weekly for check-ins and supportive supervision. Commonspace will facilitate access to ongoing trainings and development, including CIPS, Recovery Coach Model, Naloxone Administration, etc.

Education & Experience

• Valid Driver’s License and personal vehicle for work use. -Preferred
• State of Maine Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) – Preferred
• Recovery Coach Certification – Preferred
• A personal history related to mental health/substance use challenges, and a wellness or change story that guides peer relationships. - Preferred

Certification & Licensure

• Completion of, or ability to complete, State of Maine Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) Certification – Preferred within 12 months of hire date.
• Attainment of Recovery Coach Credential – Preferred within 12 months of hire date.

Role Presence

• This position requires an onsite presence, working within our recovery residences, and attendance of in-person and remote meetings on occasion.

Requirements

• Good communication skills and an ability to maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
• Willingness to further develop communication skills (i.e., written, verbal, and computer.)
• Demonstrated commitment to continual personal and professional learning and growth.
• Basic computer literacy.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to attend and complete any assigned training, meetings, and learning opportunities.
• Compliance with all agency, state, and department rules and regulations.

Working Environment

This position requires working in a residential setting.

This position requires working with individuals who may be under the influence of substances, exhibiting mental health symptoms, or present challenging behaviors. Medical and other emergencies may occur in the working environments, including substance overdoses, suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, physical and/or verbal violence; when such events occur contacting emergency services for assistance is essential and required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Opportunity Employer

Commonspace is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, creed, disability status, protected military and veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overnight shift
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Why do you want to work in recovery services at Commonspace?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Crisis intervention: 1 year (Preferred)
• Peer Support: 1 year (Preferred)
• Personal Recovery: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

License/Certification:

• Certified Intentional Peer Support (CIPSS) (Preferred)
• Mental Health Rehab. Tech. Certification (MHRT/C) (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Portland, ME (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19