Peer Specialist

Are you seeking a rewarding and fulfilling career in the Mental Health and Addictions field? Do you have a passion for helping people in our community?

Apply to be a Peer Specialist today!

What will your day look like?  

At Horizon, you’ll enjoy a supportive, team-based work environment. Have a question? There’s always someone there to help! We offer a seamless onboarding experience that’ll ensure your success in your new role.

As a Peer Specialist at Horizon, you will...

• Help to initiate and sustain an individual/family in recovery from substance use or mental health and promote recovery by removing barriers and obstacles to recovery
• Attend various treatment courts in the 8^th district including Lackawanna, Buffalo and Tonawanda courts
• Help individuals find ways to stop using (abstinence), or reduce harm associated with addictive behaviors
• Coordinate between the courts and the various treatment agencies
• Work with individuals/recoverees beyond recovery initiation through stabilization and into recovery maintenance
• Offer employment counseling – to include an intake assessment, strategic plan, and vocational resources to achieve outcome.  
• Monitor outcomes for treatment, social, and vocational accomplishments.
• Assist with self-advocacy, self-efficacy, and empowerment to foster engagement and collaboration while promoting voice and choice
• Maintain accurate documentation and enter data into the OMH Diversion Center Navigator system.
• Coordinate with OMH to address system challenges and develop innovative solutions.

Why choose Horizon to build your career?

At Horizon, we don’t just offer a workplace—we offer a community where you can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Recognized as a Best Place to Work in NYS for 17 consecutive years and one of America’s Best Workplaces, we take pride in fostering a culture where motivated teammates collaborate to make a difference, every day. Join us and experience the satisfaction of doing work that matters alongside people who share your passion!

What we offer that you’ll love…

• Company Culture: At Horizon, we pride ourselves on cultivating an atmosphere of teamwork where all employees feel heard and valued.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to equity, racial justice, and equal opportunity for all, and strive toward this goal through the work of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging department, frequent trainings, ongoing conversations, affinity groups, and more.
• Trainings, Trainings, and More Trainings: We have an entire team dedicated to your personal development and professional growth.
• Team Building, Connection, and Relationships: At Horizon, we’re more than co-workers, we’re a community. We support each other, celebrate our achievements and milestones together, and have fun together!
• Retirement: We know you want to retire comfortably and we’re here to help!  Horizon offers 401(k) AND profit-sharing programs to make sure you’re set for the future.
• Student Loan Assistance: We help pay off our team members' student loans every month. One year after joining, you’ll have been able to pay off an extra $600!
• Paid time off and paid holidays!
• Horizon employees and their families (includes spouses and children up to age 30) are eligible for a 10% discount on their tuition through a partnership with Capella University.

What makes you a great candidate?

We can’t wait to learn more about you! Here are a few specifics of what you’ll need for the job:

• OASAS Certified Peer Advocate Certification and/or OMH Certified Peer Specialist required.
• Lived experience with substance use and mental health, and are personally familiar with the associated challenges. In appropriate situations this can be used as a substitution for the above requirements
• A clean, valid, NYS driver’s license, three years of driving experience, and reliable personal transportation to travel locally on a regular basis.
• High School Diploma/GED equivalent required
• A strong desire to assist individuals in recovery by sharing experience, strength and hope to empower and create autonomy for individuals in recovery

Location:

77 Broadway Buffalo NY. Must be willing to travel within Erie County to other Horizon locations and various treatment courts including Lackawanna, Buffalo, and Tonawanda Courts.

Hours:

This position is Monday-Friday with some evenings required.

Compensation:

Horizon is consistently evaluating our compensation and benefit packages to ensure we remain competitive. The range of pay for this position is $19.50 - $21.50. Starting pay may be impacted based on experience and education.

*Please note: this is a grant-funded position*

Horizon DEIB Statement:

Horizon commits to being an anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Through self-reflection and our commitments to education, growth and development, increased workplace diversity throughout all levels of our organization and the cultivation of meaningful relationships, we pledge to advance equity, racial justice, and equal opportunity for all.

Disclaimer:

Horizon endorses public health measures including vaccinations. We encourage all applicants to be mindful of the fact that Horizon is a healthcare agency proving in person services throughout our community.

This information is intended to provide a general overview of the position; it is not a full job description.

Salary : $20 - $22