Job Description
Job Description
Institute for Community Living (ICL) is a non-profit organization servicing the NYC-Metro area and for over 35 years, we’ve provided life-saving care to New Yorkers in need that includes but is not limited to addiction assistance, mental health services, and housing support for all. Proudly doing so, with integrity, love, and respect. Our goal is to have a positive and long-lasting impact on the lives of the people and communities we serve with the hope of providing the care, support, and attention they need.
So, it is our pleasure to announce that we are currently seeking a full-time candidate for the role of Peer Counselor (PC), to join our team! – Veterans preferred for specific VA Shelter locations.
By ICL definition, under the direct supervision of the Program Dir., Peer Counselors are former residents who are successfully employed and living in permanent housing progressing from the Transitional Residence for Veterans. They’re primarily responsible for participating in the coordination of services and modeling the behaviors needed to move to permanent housing, providing advocacy and counseling support to the residents.
MIN. ROLE REQUIREMENTS & PREFERENCES :
- LOCATION : Long Island City, NY 11101
- Available 5 Days min. b / w Monday to Sunday, with options for O.T. – Shift : Days & Hours TBD
- EDU : No Education Req. but completion of an internship and / or comparable training in peer advocacy services is a MUST
- EXP : 1 years of providing pure advocacy and / or relevant human services exp. to homeless and / or disabled individuals
- Past or current recipient of mental health, substance, or homeless services – not mandatory but strongly preferred
- Valid State Driver’s ID ( CDL, General Class D or Class A, B, or C licensing accepted) – NY, NJ, CT, or PA preferred
- Certifications : CPR & First Aid (must be obtained and maintained within 90 days of employment)
- Proper attire always – this includes business casual and / or professional
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :
Ability to stand, stoop, bend, and stretch for long periods of timeAbility to effectively use computer software such as MS Word and OutlookAbility to consistently report for work as scheduled, being on-call if neededAbility to perform medium-to-heavy manual labor, including lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbsAbility to work in a setting with diverse individuals with mental illness and / or behavioral disordersStrong problem-identification and solving skills with an awareness of self and one’s impact on othersAbility to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports, and other written material as assignedAbility to engage in active listening – attending to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriateAbility to organize time effectively to accomplish all tasks in a timely way and meet deadlines without promptingAbility to work both independently and as a team, to conform to all applicable safety and accountability measuresAverage communication, listening, interpersonal, writing, and conveying skills – bi-lingual is a plus but not mandatoryAbility to learn, understand, and comply with all state and city regulations, policies, and procedures regarding human servicesAbility to continually learn and apply knowledge with a willingness to participate in in-service training and development activitiesKnowledge of the causes and processes of mental illness and substance abuse disorders, how these disabilities can adversely affect functioning, and ways to cope with or overcome such effectsAbility to follow all safety guidelines in accordance with the performance of the tasks mentioned below...PEER COUNSELOR TASKS :
Communication – interact with residents in assigned neighborhoods; provide effective communication with the public, staff, residents, and their families; review the staff communications log and make entries concerning essential elements of information designated by program management; provide motivational interviewing with residents as neededResident Assistance – work with residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences; accompany, escort, or transport residents to appointments if they want such support to maintain service continuity (some assignments may require possession of a valid driver's license)Recovery – facilitate self-help groups; participate in wellness self-management and other recovery-oriented groups; observe residents’ behavior and specific responses to services and report observations as instructed and in accordance with applicable standards; maintain up-to-date, accurate individual paper and electronic case records on peer-counselor-related activitiesCommunity Assistance – advocate on behalf of residents in the facility and in the community; assist residents to help identify, apply, and access community resource services, and other benefits / entitlements both after and after moving into non-transitional housing in collaboration with the Entitlements Counselor : Access-A-Ride, HRA, Social Security, MTA half-fare cards, etc.Socializing – encourage resident socialization both in and out of Transitional Residence for Veterans; encourage and assist residents to participate in physical, social, recreational, educational, and other rehabilitation goals to facilitate the residents’ recovery / healing and their fuller participation in the life of their family and community; select one or two residents to serve as Neighborhood Guardians and assistants in looking after the needs of the neighborhoodIntegration – assist in the orientation of new personnel when requested; welcome new residents, introducing them to their neighbors and orienting them to the values, rules, expectations, and tasks of the neighborhood; assist residents in the neighborhood with meeting their daily living needs; assist in developing the spirit, values, and culture of the neighborhoods; provide empathy and support to residents instructing, demonstrating, modeling, and encouraging appropriate behavior and skillsStaff Assistance – assist the Recovery Specialist, Social Workers, and Case Managers in running wellness and community integration groups; assist the Recreation Specialist and Unit Counselors in using neighborhoods for recreational-based incentive programs; assist the Recovery Specialists and Social Workers in the facilitation of gender-specific groups that address gender-related community reintegration and adaptation issues that include gender role identity, socialization skills development, family relationship, intimacy, and sex education issuesAdministration – create, complete, submit, and file all required documentation of activities, written forms, and reports in an accurate and timely manner, manually and by computer; participate in length-of-stay reviews; comply with attendance and timekeeping rules and report reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis; assist with the coordination and assigning of resident tasks : light cleaning, maintenance of a neighborhood message board, meal service and wake-up call to residents a daily neighborhood meeting; attend regularly scheduled clinical meetings, case conferences, staff meetings, and supervision as well as in-service training and development activitiesPerform other job-related tasks as assigned in an organized and detail-oriented manner…Please Note : to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions unless this causes undue hardship for the agency.If you feel that you’re a suitable candidate for this role and would like to join our organization , please submit your resume in response to this ad to contact a recruiter in HR for further related info to the role above or the benefits mentioned below…
ICL BENEFITS :
PLEASE NOTE : ICL Company Benefits are exclusive to employees working 20 hours and EDU Leave is 40 hours ONLY!
PAID Orientation and TrainingChoice of full and / or partial Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits ( spousal and child coverage available too )Life & AD&D Insurance Medical Flexible SpendingMental Health Services and ProvidersEducational & Parental LeaveTuition & Work-Life AssistanceCommuter Benefits PlanEmployee Assistance ProgramMatching 403B ( non-profit )Payroll Benefits : Corporate Fitness Account / NYS College Savings Program / Etc.Discounts on selected ticket purchases provided by Plum BenefitsAnd many more…
