What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist position at Friendly Harbor Community Center?
The Peer Specialist (PS) is an active member of the Friendly Harbor team and provides peer support services to clients with mental health and substance use issues. Under supervision of the Executive Director and Clinical Supervisor, the PS functions as a role model to peers, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills, and serving as a Member/Participant advocate, providing members with information and support throughout the recovery process. The PS performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from adolescent to old age, in gaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. These supports may be provided at the Friendly Harbor community center (our house) or within the community, as needed by members/peers.
Duties/Functions:
1. Provide recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey.
2. Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
3. Assist recovering persons to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses.
4. Assist/coach recovering persons to develop their own plan for advancing their recovery; for “getting the life they want.”
5. Promote self-advocacy by assisting recovering persons to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals and objectives realized.
6. Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.) that support the recovering person’s goals and interests.
7. Support connections to community-based groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
8. Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
9. Assist with outreach, attending special events as a Friendly Harbor representative and planning events at the Friendly Harbor.
10. Other duties as directed by Executive Director and/or Management Staff.
House Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Prepare coffee and hot water for participants and unlock building
- Replace any daily sign in sheets and take forms from previous day to administration.
- Facilitate daily groups, and 1:1’s as requested by members.
- Complete paperwork on interactions for purpose of discovering, supporting and fulfilling Participant's mental wellness goals and billing purposes, if applicable.
- Ensure the safety and comfort of members by: providing an open understanding environment free of judgement, responding to any difficult or dangerous situations quickly and appropriately, maintaining a clean and safe facility at all times.
- Give tours and Harbor information to any newcomer.
- Complete intake forms for all new members.
- Monitor computer sign in sheets and members while using computers
- Complete daily walks of the property to inspect for trash or property damage.
- Complete daily cleaning chores and lock up and set security system before leaving.
- Attend all supervision, staff and community meetings unless otherwise approved by supervisor.
- Share any news about new resources, upcoming events and Harbor news with members, and the community when necessary.
- Maintain up to date resource list and personal knowledge of those resources.
- Arrange coverage during Personal Time Off. In emergencies, notify Lead Peer Specialist as soon as possible.
- Should you use your vehicle for transporting Participants, you must have $1,000,000 liability insurance policy with a copy on file with the Harbor
Position Requirements and Preferences:
a. Personal lived experience with mental health or substance use issues and established personal recovery.
b. Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established mental health/substance use processes.
c. Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery.
d. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental health/Substance use conditions, and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using personal skills, and on-site or community resources.
e. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with mental health/Substance use issues. Community resources may include but are not limited to: social security office, Pueblo Department of Human Services, local YMCA and YWCA, Pueblo Libraries, restaurants, clients’ service organizations, housing providers, etc.
f. Completion of formal Peer Support Specialist Training via accredited training program. CPFS, Certified Peer and Family Support Specialist, preferred but will assist in getting state certification.
g. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with others and facilitate support groups or individual support for members.
h. High school diploma or GED.
I. The ability to perform misc. household chores.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $14.81 - $20.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Schedule:
- Day shift
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
Salary : $15 - $20