Outreach Specialist

Organization Summary

Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI) is a non-profit, peer-run mental health agency providing advocacy and support to people experiencing trauma, mental health, and co-occurring life challenges. HALI provides a collaborative, flexible, and supportive work environment, along with a competitive benefits package.

Job Summary/Objective

The Outreach Specialist is a member of HALI’s outreach team. HALI provides a peer-run, recovery-oriented approach for people who have experienced significant mental health or co-occurring life challenges. This position involves treating people with dignity and respect while connecting them to basic needs and creating connections for utilization of our outreach services. The role explores different opportunities to connect people to services or supports that will help them reach their goals. They also keep track of trends that can support our system advocacy efforts or inform the type of support we offer. This position reports to the Outreach Coordinator.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Utilize frameworks such as Trauma Informed Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, and Active Listening.
• Connect with individuals in the community to help met needs including clothing, food, and supplies.
• Direct individuals to internal or external referrals sources.
• Collect data to track trends from the communities we service.
• Build community connections for the Mobile Shower Unit and general Outreach efforts.
• Organization and cleanliness of the Mobile Shower Unit.
• Project positive image of HALI via inter-agency relationships and occasional public speaking.
• Promote overall agency vision of recovery, peer support, empowerment, and social justice.

Qualifications:

Required:

• At least 2 (two) years’ experience working as a Peer Specialist, in any setting.
• NY Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or NY Certified Peer Specialist (CPS or CPS-P) and/or credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA or YPA-P) working toward dual certification as CRPA.
• Clean, valid driver’s license.
• HS diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree a plus.
• Self-identified experience with mental health, trauma, and/or co-occurring life challenges and/or experience with receiving mental health services, with a willingness to disclose experience, and ability to strategically use experiences to relate to and support others now experiencing challenges.
• Demonstrated understanding and training in relevant service tools and frameworks such as Trauma Informed Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, and Active Listening.
• Familiarity with behavioral health and social service system resources, and relevant resources in Suffolk County.
• Ability to articulate peer roles and values, and downside of pathologizing the results of trauma with an understanding of peer, self-help, and rights-based movements

Preferred:

• Experience working with individuals who navigate insecurity of shelter, food, clothing, or support.

Work Location: Central Islip, NY with local travel to designated sites

Work Hours/Schedule: Full time, 35 hours per week. Core hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:00pm. The shift may be 11am-6:30pm 2-3 days per week, dependent upon agency and community needs.

Pay: $50,000 – 55,000 yearly

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Term Life/AD&D/Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Pet Insurance, Identity Theft, 403(b) with Matching, Paid Time Off (PTO)

At HALI, we are committed to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and embraces inclusivity in all aspects of our operations. We firmly believe that diversity enriches our Agency’s culture, fuels innovation, and leads to employee and participant empowerment. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to all employees, participants, and the community.

Hands Across Long Island is an equal opportunity employer, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have working as a Peer Specialist?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) (Preferred)
• Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) (Preferred)
• NY Certified Peer Specialist credential (CPS) (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Central Islip, NY 11722 (Required)

Work Location: In person