Mental Health Peer Support Specialist - $1,000.00 Signing Bonus!

Pathways to Housing DC (Pathways DC) is based in Washington, DC and serves adults recovering from/experiencing homelessness in the District and Montgomery County, MD. We are an innovative and nationally recognized nonprofit committed to ending homelessness for individual with complex health challenges. Pathways DC is one of the originators of the "Housing First" model to end homelessness, in which services are provided without conditions and pre-housing requirements such as curfews, mandated sobriety or compliance with medication. We believe housing is healthcare and that housing is a basic human right. Pathways provides an array of services including housing, street outreach, case management, drop-in services, and behavioral health support. Our model is based on client choice and the idea that the people we serve are the architects of their recovery! 

***Sign On Bonus $1,000***

Peer Specialists have the unique role of providing recovery services, health and wellness self-management education on an interdisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment Team. From a perspective based on his or her personal experience with mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance abuse, the Peer Specialist provides and coordinates a broad range of services for clients who have histories of homelessness, psychiatric disability, substance abuse, criminal justice, and other trauma. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with client in the formulation of an Individual Recovery Plan (IRP) that is reviewed and modified with client on a regular basis.
• Provide outreach, counseling, advocacy, and other needed services to clients in any environment including: the streets, shelters, jails, hospitals, apartments, office, etc.
• Use his or her unique recovery experience to teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience. 
• Assist in developing and modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Assist in the development of tailored services to each client—i.e., housing placement, independent living skills, vocational guidance, appointment escorts, integrated substance use treatment, and family counseling.
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, statistics, letters, etc.;).
• Assist clients to manage their monies, including preparing budgets with clients and computing expenses.
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate client participation in them.
• Educate, inform and advocate for clients regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, food stamps, etc.).
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a self-identified person currently or previously receiving mental health or co-occurring behavioral health services.
• Preference given to individuals with life experiences of homelessness and/or mental illness.
• HS Diploma/GED required; college degree helpful
• Peer Specialist Certification or training in the use of personal recovery stories in a professional setting.
• Willingness and desire to professionally use a personal recovery journey to work with others as appropriate.
• One year experience working with in a mental health program helpful
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain boundaries but comfortable using self and personal experiences as applicable
• Bilingual, (English, Spanish or other languages) highly desired.

BENEFITS: 

• 15 days of vacation 
• 11 paid holidays 
• Paid Sick/Mental Wellness and COVID Leave 
• Health Insurance (singles, partner, and family coverage offered)
• Employer sponsored HSA account to offset the cost of copays and healthcare services 
• Dental & Vision Insurance 
• Employer paid Long Term Disability
• Pathways' paid Life insurance 
• 403b Match 
• Many additional employee paid services such as legal coverage, Short Term Disability, 

and pre-tax commuter benefits