This position has the ability to work either full-time (37.5 hours/week), part-time (18.75-30 hours/week), or casual (up to 30 hours/week), based on applicant and departmental needs. The primary working hours are between Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm with a half an hour unpaid lunch.

The Certified Peer Specialist is a self-identified individual who has received or is receiving state priority group services as defined in MH Bulletin OMHSAS-94-07, Serious Mental Illness: Adult Priority Group, and who:

• possess a High School Diploma or GED; and
• Within the last 3 years have maintained at least 12 months of successful full or part time paid or voluntary work experience or obtained at least 24 credit hours of post-secondary education; and
• Has successful completion of the Peer Specialist Certification Training.
• Identifies yourself as a person who has received or is receiving services for a serious mental illness. The Certified Peer is someone who has lived experience in the behavioral health community, having been previously diagnosed themselves. The Certified Peer has utilized resources in the community and/or on an inpatient basis and can assist others because they have had similar experiences. The Certified Peer is articulate in recovery principles and are themselves in recovery. The Certified Peer can demonstrate success in their own recovery over an extended period of time. The Certified Peer has to be willing to self-disclose their own individual recovery story to assist the clients they serve in their recovery.

Services provided by the Certified Peer Specialist:

• Provides peer support services; serves as a client advocate; provides client information and support for clients in community, emergency, outpatient, or inpatient settings
• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery and in determining the objectives the client needs to take in order to reach his or her recovery goals
• Assist client in regaining control over their own lives and over their own recovery process. The Certified Peer will role model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills
• Assisting clients to learn how to use less restrictive alternatives that prevent hospitalization, incarceration, and the use of emergency services when appropriate
• Document client contacts and progress, maintaining a permanent record of activity, according to the agency?s established methods and procedures

WCSI offers a full benefit package for all full time positions which includes:

• 19 paid days off your first year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid training will be provided for all positions.
• Reserved Sick Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Paid Jury Duty leave
• 403(b) pension plan with employer match up to 8% upon the subsequent open Enrollment after one year of service (January or July).
• Affordable Health Insurance that begins first of the month after start date
• A ?Buy back? payment for employees who waive health insurance coverage
• Employer paid Short-Term Disability Insurance & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer paid Life Insurance

Additional voluntary/supplemental benefits funded solely through employee contributions:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Buy Up Benefit
• Cancer Plans
• Accident Plan
• Hospital Indemnity Plan
• Critical Illness
• Additional Life and AD&D coverage
• Whole Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance

Miscellaneous Benefits

• Student Loan Reimbursement
• Direct Deposit
• USX Credit Union Membership
• PA 529 College Savings Program
• Verizon Wireless Plan Discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Qualified Public Student Loan Forgiveness Agency

Some benefits vary or are not available for part time and casual positions.