Position Summary:

The Forensic Veteran Certified Peer Specialist (FVCPS) provides supportive services to Veterans referred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. The FVCPS will work with Veterans in their community environment, assisting them in their recovery through self disclosure, instilling a sense of encouragement and vision in the future by assisting them to: (a) better understand their behavioral health;(b) promote self-advocacy; (c) develop interpersonal skills and social support/networks; (d) reinforcement of budgeting skills to allow greater independence in management of fUnds; (e) develop leisure and recreational activity planning skills; (fl and integrate with self-help support groups and other community avenues toward advancing their personal recovery objectives. The FVCPS position is intended to inspire hope in individuals that recovery is not only possible but probable by promoting the active involvement of persons in their own recovery process.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Veteran Initiatives Unit (VIU) Manager to provide supportive services to those Veterans referred to the Department through Philadelphia Municipal Court’s Veterans Court and other referral sources.
• Assist in the development of forensic recovery plans, Wellness Recover Action Plans (WRAP), for Veterans with behavioral health challenges.
• Support Veterans to develop independent living skills through referrals to professional agencies and other support strategies including self-help organizations, etc.
• Perform outreach functions by developing relationships with community resources helpful to Veterans in need. The FVCPS will also perfomi outreach to Veterans in the community such as those that are homeless or dishonorably discharged to connect them with resources that will divert them from the criminal justice system.
• Promote the knowledge of available service options and choices for Veterans and promote the utilization of natural resources in the community.
• Provide opportunities for individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery and inspire hope that recovery is not only possible but probable; teach and support acquiring and utilizing skills needed in the person’s recovery.
• Facilitate the development of a sense of self-worth and wellness.
• Track project outcomes and data to include monitoring veterans progress in the treatment and inputting that data into various tracking systems.

Skills Required:

• Must be a Veteran.
• Must have completed Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist training.
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills and work well with people 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.
• Must have good, creative problem-solving skills.
• Be able to work independently and as a team leader. Be flexible and adaptive in handling changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment: must be able to use computer to record services. Preference given for prior experience working in with criminal court or in a criminal justice environment.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED; BA degree in social science field preferred.
• Prior forensic involvement.
• Must be a current or former recipient of behavioral health services for 2 years or more and have achieved at least one year in recovery.
• Must have successfully completed DBH sponsored CPS Training Program or Certified Recovery Specialist training.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required such as maneuvering in office space — reaching file cabinets, fax and copier machines when necessary.
• Must be able to sit for up to 2 hours looking at a computer monitor and using a keyboard and mouse to perform data entry functions.
• Able to travel locally via public transportation and on foot from 123 S. Broad Street to 1101 Market Street, CBH, and various other destinations as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Valid driver’s license and use of personal licensed and insured vehicle during work hours.
• Attend Veterans Court weekly.
• Attend CIT classes to work with the Philadelphia Police Officers at the Academy.
• Ability to effectively utilize computers, databases, and related common office software packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC 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 will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis with accordance to the law.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you a Veteran?
• Do you live within 60 miles of the city of Philadelphia?
• What are your salary requirement?
• Have you ever worked for PMHCC or one of its affiliates? If yes, where, when, and what position?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• behavioral health: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Certified Recovery Specialist (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Philadelphia, PA 19103