Peer Support Specialist I - Union

TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST - Union 

Seniority Bid Close Date: 1/13/24

Rate: $21.54/hr.

Schedule: Sunday to Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

SUMMARY:  The Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals who have self-identified as desiring Peer Supports, in order to promote greater independence, community integration and recovery from mental illness and/or addiction as an expanded function of the Supportive Transitions and Stabilization Program.  Services provided by peers (people in addiction recovery or with co-occurring mental health disorders) include a wide range of supports, services, and advocacy that contribute to a client’s ability to engage in ongoing treatment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with clients to identify wellness and recovery goals.
• Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Share their own recovery story as appropriate, and walks the road of recovery alongside the service recipient.
• Work with clients on specific objectives in conjunction with the case manager and the client’s ISSP.
• Attend and positively participate in required team, agency, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress
• Ensure timely completion of all required paperwork.
• Work to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
• Document all peer contact at time of service.
• Work with HRR Leadership team to develop and support new programming
• Participate in group supervision as required.
• Support clients in establishing community integration, including, but not limited to accessing recovery meetings, faith-based support, clean and sober recreation, etc., in their neighborhoods.
• May carry a small caseload of clients who are no longer in need of intensive services.
• Facilitate activity groups.
• Coordinate pro-social activities in the community.
• Provide support with transporting identified clients from their homes to the office for groups, individual sessions or other appointments in the community. Assist in developing skills with public transportation as appropriate.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department, as well as to your supervisor or their designee.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to consider the impacts and outcomes for underserved communities during decision-making process.
• Ability to consider impacts of oppression, structural racism, and individual bias on client outcomes.
• Knowledge and skills in counseling techniques with individuals and groups.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Ability to work as a team member and to establish priorities.
• Ability to apply principles learned to new situations.
• Ability to learn new skills.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
• Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions and to apply techniques for specific needs.
• Knowledge and skills in mental health treatment methods and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge and skills in chemical dependency treatment methods and crisis intervention.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in an environment where people may be hostile or abusive.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, clients, medical personnel, corrections personnel, police, and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED Equivalent required.
• Must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Recovery Mentor prior to start. Must be registered with the THW registry prior to start.
• Must be a self-identified person in recovery from a substance use or co-occurring mental health disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovery staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs.
• HRR Graduates preferred.
• At least two year’s work, education, training or experience in chemical dependency or mental health treatment preferred.
• Must be able to provide peer delivered services as described in Medicaid guidelines.
•  Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Ace of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol. 
• Must possess a current driver’s license, access to a vehicle, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety policy.  Must pass an initial drivers training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.  Must maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
• Must not actively be on parole or probation.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects and climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, life-styles, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.

Benefits:  Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our employees! 

• Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks per year at the time of hire. Accrual increases with longevity. 
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1st year, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year! 
• 11 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion. 
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage. 
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long-Term Disability Insurance! 
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21. 

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the position.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, and pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.   

CCC values and celebrates diversity in race, heritage, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we prioritize active inclusion of diverse staff.

Central City Concern is a second-chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding the consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER