What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist position at Friendly Harbor?
About us:
Friendly Harbor has been improving the lives of adults in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders since 1995. We are a peer-run organization that connects adults with mental health and substance use issues with the information, emotional support, and referrals they need to live full, satisfying lives. We provide a central location to gather and exchange winning strategies on the many paths to recovery. The Friendly Harbor provides a positive atmosphere for growth, and encourages empowerment and self-reliance through peer support, advocacy, and role modeling. Friendly Harbor is not a treatment facility. Our Peer Specialists model the skills used to recognize and manage symptoms and build a satisfying, meaningful life. Their lived experience is a powerful complement to mental health services, but it is not treatment. The Friendly Harbor actively works to counter the effects of stigma by supporting the recovery of its members, and speaking to and collaborating with family members, community agencies, and other Pueblo County citizens. Through our advocacy work we are messengers of mental health literacy to the larger community. Whether you are needing some face-to-face support, wanting to network with others in similar situations, needing referrals and coaching, or just needing a night of fun and entertainment with the art class, watching movies or joining dinner socials, we promise you a welcoming environment to fulfill your needs.
Description:
The Peer Specialist (PS) is an active member of the Friendly Harbor team and provides peer support services to clients with mental health and substance use issues. Under supervision of the Programs
Director, the PS functions as a role model to peers, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills, and serving as a member advocate, providing members with information and support throughout the recovery process. The PS performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from adolescent to old age, in gaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. These supports may be provided at the Friendly Harbor community center (our house) or within the community, as needed by members/peers.
Duties/Functions:
1. Provide recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey.
2. Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
3. Assist recovering persons to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses.
4. Assist/coach recovering persons to develop their own plan for advancing their recovery; for “getting the life they want.”
5. Promote self-advocacy by assisting recovering persons to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals and objectives realized.
6. Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.) that support the recovering person’s goals and interests.
7. Support connections to community-based groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
8. Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
9. Assist with outreach, attending special events as a Friendly Harbor representative and planning events at the Friendly Harbor.
10. Other duties as directed by Programs Director or Executive Director.
Position Requirements:
a. Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established mental health/substance use processes. b. Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery. c. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental health/Substance use conditions, and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using personal skills, and on-site or community resources. d. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with mental health/Substance use issues. Community resources may include but are not limited to: social security office, Pueblo Department of Human
Services, local YMCA and YWCA, Pueblo Libraries, restaurants, clients’ service organizations, housing providers, etc. e. Completion of formal Peer Support Specialist Training via accredited training program. f. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with others and facilitate support groups or individual support for members. g. High school diploma or GED. h. Personal experience with mental health or substance use issues and established personal recovery.
I. The ability to perform misc. household chores.
J. Proficient in basic computer skills (including Microsoft Office, Google Drive, encrypted email systems,
Zoom and Webex)
K. Must be a team player.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $12.56 - $13.56 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- On call
- Weekend availability
COVID-19 considerations:
Must wear mask at all times if unvaccinated and wash hands when entering facility
Experience:
- Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Preferred)
Work Location: One location