MHCM Peer Support Specialist

District 19 Community Services Board is seeking a highly motivated self-starter to become a full-time Peer Specialists. The successful incumbent must have proven organizational, along with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Instill hope that recovery is possible; Serves as a consumer advocate; Participates in monitoring consumer satisfaction; Provides consumer information and acts as resource broker and navigator; Participate in the development of comprehensive, individualized plan of care that includes specific and individualized goals; Assists other service providers to understand the consumer’s perspective and subjective experience; orients new consumers about the services, hours, locations staff and other pertinent information necessary for the consumer to understand the program and how to utilize it; Performs a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in regaining control over their lives and over their recovery process( such as coaching in areas of personal hygiene, development of natural supports, obtaining decent affordable housing, assisting to avoid behaviors that might lead to a crisis, avoidance of risky behaviors, follow through on personal obligations, engagement in community activities, involvement in vocational , volunteer or education opportunities, facilitating the development of effective decision making skills and problem solving skills. Provides training in recovery and leads recovery dialogues; Facilities recovery-oriented groups; Acts as a role model in recovery and ongoing coping skills.

Required:

Minimum required qualifications for this position include: High School Diploma or GED, relevant lived experience as a consumer of mental health services, must have at least 12 consecutive months of sobriety or drug free (if substance abuse exists) at least 12 consecutive months of success within personal recovery. No less than 500 paid and or volunteer hours within the preceding year providing recovery related activities to consumers with mental illness. Candidate must have proficient computer skills, experience in record keeping/report completion and proficient scheduling/time management skills.
Preferred:

Preference is given to those who have within the past three years completed a DBHDS recognized Peer Specialist curriculum/program. This curriculum/ program should have included no less than ninety (90) hours of training that covered the areas of content for peer support recommended by DBHDS. Content areas should speak to Peer Services within both the mental health and substance abuse disorder context. Twenty five of those 90 hours should have involved experiential learning.

This position is Full-time position, grade S-C4; starting annual salary is $39,239 - $44,135.

Benefits:

Health insurance, company-sponsored retirement plan through Virginia Retirement System.
Paid Sick, Annual, and Holiday leave, plus including birthday leave.
For more benefits details, Click Here.

District 19 Community Service Board is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness (PSLF). PSLF is a federal program available to full-time government and nonprofit employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after Oct. 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven. For more information, check out Public Service Loan Forgiveness information on the Federal Student Aid website

Position requires valid Driver’s License in state of residence with a point balance of -6 or higher, and an extensive pre-employment background check to include fingerprints and drug screening.

District 19 is committed to developing a multicultural workplace. Minorities and persons with disabilities seeking career advancement are encouraged to apply. EEO.

Position is open until filled.