Community Wellness Specialist

Position Summary:

This is behavioral health and wellness recovery support work in the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, providing person-centered peer support services to adults with behavioral health and wellness challenges to aid in recovery, community integration and employment processes. Employees in this class are responsible for serving as an advocate, providing recovery and wellness information and assisting in the identification of program services to individuals in the community with behavioral health challenges to aid in their recovery process. Employees collaborate with other units to provide support for individuals living with behavioral health and wellness challenges by lending their insight and providing peer support in a variety of settings. Guiding the development of a Wellness Plan, aiding in the identification of goals for recovery and wellness and assisting in the development and delivery of transformational training to a diverse population is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Specialist.

This is a grant-funded position. Additional funding will be sought to extend the position, but funding cannot be guaranteed. Listed salary range is demonstrative of growth within the specified EP level.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends community meetings and develops targeted community partnerships
• Assists individuals in the community with identifying recovery and wellness related resources within the community
• Assists in identifying barriers and identifies appropriate support system and trainings
• Participates in planning and implementing targeted system-wide activities and/or initiatives
• Provides information on community agencies and supports and aids in accessing them
• Makes recommendations to supervisor regarding the needs of the community
• Participates in training and in-service opportunities to enhance knowledge of DBHIDS and wellness and behavioral health resources at the community level
• Organizes and assists in preparing outreach materials, maintains documentation of encounters
• Presents at various workshops and events in the community partnered with DBHIDS
• Coordinates and collaborates with community family and peer-related outreach and engagement activities
• Works a flexible schedule that allows for evening and weekend hours as needed

Skills Required:

• Provides and advocates for effective recovery-based services, teaches techniques for identifying strength-based supports
• Attends networking meetings to provide support and information on Peer Services and wellness initiatives
• Supports staff in identifying environments that are conducive to wellness and recovery
• Lends unique insight into wellness
• Coordinate and deliver transformation trainings to a diverse population, including behavioral health professionals, persons with lived experience and community members
• Coordinates and communicates with team and department staff to discuss ongoing issues regarding access and treatment
• Good organizational skills
• Proficiency with MS Office Software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access) and other cloud-based programs

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma is required
• Current certification as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) or Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), is preferred but not required (Newly hired individuals in this position will be required to pursue a certification in one of the identified certifications listed above or another qualifying certification within the first year).
• One (1) year of full-time volunteer or paid employment or 2000 hours of part-time volunteer or paid employment providing peer support to individuals and families with behavioral health challenges.
• Any equivalent combination of education and community engagement experience determined to be acceptable.
• Individuals who have prior lived or professional experience working with cultural groups or who are bi-literate or bi-lingual in the following languages are strongly encouraged to apply: Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Haitian Creole, Arabic or Spanish.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly requires walking, standing, stooping, bending, sitting, reaching, pushing, pulling and/or repetitive wrist/hand movements for various lengths of time throughout the day
• Must be able to lift and carry 25 lbs.
• Requires continuous, normal hearing and vision to exchange information
• Regularly works inside in areas that are adequately lighted and ventilated and outdoors in the community. Some fluctuation in temperature. No protective equipment routinely needed
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment
• Must be able to adapt to continuous changes/demands of the job
• Ability to travel on public transit

Essential Functions:

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
• Must have a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and vehicle if work requires
• Ability to utilize computers and office equipment to complete daily work responsibilities.
• Sitting or standing for a minimum of two (2) hours

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law.