Peer Support Specialist

Magnolia Women's Recovery Program is a community-based non-profit 501(c) organization. We provide a safe transitional haven for women with children, pregnant and postpartum women overcome substance use and mental health issues.

Job Summary:

Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership.
Status: Fulltime (days and times vary)
Supervisor: Program Manager
Position Supervised:
Anticipated Hours: Day shift
Pay: Hourly, Bi-weekly
Knowledge: An understanding of addiction & recovery and facilitation of educational groups.

Skills:

• · Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations and policies regarding social service provision, reporting requirements, data practices and client rights.
• · Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural differences and special needs of various marginalized groups, and ability to consult with other providers regarding these.
• · Knowledge of community resources including functions of other social service agencies.
• · Knowledge of vulnerable adult laws and similar rules and regulations.
• · Knowledge of peer recovery philosophy and practice as it applies to those adults with mental health challenges.
• · Skill in American Sign Language.
• · Skill in consultation, problem solving and coordination of service delivery.
• · Skill in providing support to individuals and groups on short and long-term bases.
• · Ability to prioritize work.
• · Ability to develop and maintain effective professional work relationships and therapeutic relationships with clients.
• · Ability to tolerate high levels of stress.
• · Ability to operate machines such as personal computers and other electronic devices.
• · Ability to transport clients in the community.
• · Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task
• · Crisis intervention skills, ability to maintain healthy & appropriate treatment boundaries
• · Utilization of computer for documentation and Communication
• · Ability to be a proactive team player and able to represent the agency
• · Commitment to working in a diverse workplace, and self-awareness regarding issues of race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/spirituality and disability

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• 1. Assist clients with symptom management and recovery by modeling wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and hopefulness through the sharing of his or her story, in the process role modeling how the needs of individuals can be met.
• 2. Help other providers to better understand and empathize with each client's unique experience and perceptions.
• 3. Provide guidance and encouragement to clients to actively participate in their own recovery.
• 4. Teach clients self-advocacy skills.
• 5. Promote personal growth and development with mental health issues.
• 6. Assist, teach, and support clients regarding activities of daily living, vocational skills, housing access, maintaining financial supports, and building support networks.
• 7. Provide side-by-side support, coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize and carry out leisure-time activities on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities and provide other opportunities to practice social skills.
• 8. Link clients to other external sources of help, when needed.
• 9. Assist clients in identifying with other consumers who have done well in recovery.
• 10. When appropriate, share with clients his/her own experiences with mental illness and recovery.
• 11. Attend and participate in team meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• · High School Diploma or GED.
• · Credentialed as a MN Department of Human Services Certified Peer Specialist (CPSS).
• · Current certification in CPR & First aid by the American Red Cross or another approved provider. Must maintain certification as a condition of ongoing employment.
• · Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License.
• · Must be able to physically respond to clients' needs in the event of a crisis situation.
• · Must have basic computer knowledge/skills. Maintaining our electronic client records system, is required.
• · Must be able to attend the program's mandatory weekly staff meeting.
• · Must be able to obtain a Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance. Individuals with serious criminal offenses in their background may not be able to obtain a DOJ clearance.
• · Must maintain valid car insurance.

Desired Qualifications:

• · Bachelor’s degree in addition to minimum qualifications.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.
The selected applicant must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

Work Environment:
Work is performed primarily in clients' and service providers' homes, treatment and residential facilities, courts and work sites. Frequent travel may involve exposure to inclement weather conditions, unsanitary conditions in homes, communicable illnesses and diseases, and unsafe environments. Direct service provision may require working with persons who can be hostile, aggressive, abusive, violent, or who pose a potential threat to personal safety. Daily contacts with clients to provide support,
education, coaching and encouragement; and occasional contact with social workers, psychologists, occupational and recreational therapists, psychiatrists and program supervisors for consultation and coordination of activities. Other possible contacts include family members of client.

Expectations:
Proper performance assures that appropriate and timely services are provided to protect clients; foster their development toward self-sufficiency and recovery or assist them in improving their quality of life; reduce the need for costlier or less effective types of care or services; maximize limited resources; and avoid service duplication. Failure to provide appropriate and timely services or intervention may leave vulnerable clients in abusive, neglectful, injurious, or life threatening situations. Poor performance may also result in appeals, lawsuits, poor public relations, and a reduction in the number of volunteers and service providers available to meet client needs.

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to info@magnoliarecovery.org with Subject Header “Peer Support Specialist.”

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24