Peer Specialist

Northpointe Council, Inc. is hiring a full-time Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) to work in our residential and outpatient programs.

**Candidates must possess an OASAS approved certification as a peer advocate**

Job Description:

The Peer Advocate acts as a direct service staff to serve as an advocate for the methadone client. The Peer Advocate will organize and maintain a support group for methadone clients, provide outreach services to the clients, and accompany methadone clients to off-site help and support meetings. Generally, assist the clients as needed. Peer Advocates may also supervise urine surveillance on same sex clients and/or testing. Peer Advocates will adhere to agency policies and procedures and will be supervised by Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor or a licensed staff member.

Our mission at Northpointe Council, Inc. is to provide high-quality person-centered prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery to those affected by substance use disorders and other addictions from the Greater Niagara Area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Peer Advocate (PA) will organize and maintain a support group for the methadone clients. The PA will be responsible for facilitating the group as well as maintaining the group. The Peer Advocate will provide on-site face-to-face services to the client in conjunction with the Comprehensive Treatment Plan. Peer Advocates will also provide outreach services to the clients to motivate the clients to participate in their addiction treatment program. Peer Advocate will represent the choices of the clients not their own and will serve as a bridge to connect the clients to the community . This will be accomplished by going beyond professional support to that of a peer by sharing your own positive recovery experiences and other witnessed recovery persons transitions.

The advocate will accompany clients to off-site self help and support meetings in the community and assist the clients as needed. The Peer Advocate will report at-risk and/or unhealthy client behaviors to the clinic staff immediately. Peer Advocates will maintain healthy and appropriate boundaries with all current and former methadone clients .

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Current Valid New York State driver's license
• OASAS APPROVED CRPA CERTIFICATION (Required)

Schedule: In person Day shift / Weekends as needed

Willingness to travel: 25% (Preferred) to other Northpointe locations, or off-site meetings

Experience: Peer Support: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to commute/relocate: Niagara Falls, NY 14301. Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $20.70 - $22.74 per hour

Summary of Benefits for Full- time Employee

• 35-hour full time work week
• 10 paid holidays + 2 Floating Holidays
• Company paid life insurance
• Health Insurance: Independent Health choice of 2 policies
• Guardian Dental
• FSA Flexible Spending account
• HRA Health Reimbursement account
• Professional development assistance
• 403b with up to 7% contribution upon qualification
• Vacation: 70 hours first year, increases on yearly basis
• Sick time: 63 hours per year
• Personal time: 21 hours per year
• EAP Employee Assistance Program

Northpointe Council, Inc complies with all State and Federal Labor Standards & Guidelines including, but not limited to:

FMLA: Family and Medical Leave Act | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

EEOC Home | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)

EPPA: Employee Polygraph Protection Act | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

USERRA: Know Your Rights | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)