What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist position at NORTH SUFFOLK COMMUNITY SERVICES INC?
We are seeking Peer Support Specialists for our Adult Community Clinical Services Program (ACCS)! As a Peer Specialist for North Suffolk, you’ll build supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning. The Peer Specialist position is designated for a person who has lived experience and wants to help guide others through the recovery process.
We have multiple full and part-time positions available in Boston, East Boston and Chelsea. Please indicate preferred location in application.
Salaries start at $47,500 for non-certified applicants and $51,300 for Certified Peers. Additional language differential for fluency in American Sign Language - please indicate language skills in application!
What you’ll do:
- Support persons served through Life and Care transitions, including visiting a hospital or other restrictive setting in order to provide connection and transition planning.
- Help clients establish goals to aid in their recovery
- Educate non-peer staff about self-directed care and how to best support a person through risk and crisis situations.
- Use peer-supported Evidence Based Practices including WRAP, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness exercises, Stages of Change, and others
- Commit to becoming an Agent of Change through presenting regular trainings and periodic in-service trainings for non-peer staff
- Provide support through self-disclosure of one’s own experiences and the tenets of Recovery to develop the skills for self-advocacy
- Facilitate and co-facilitate skill-building, mutually supportive groups, and emphasize the importance of quality of life activities and community membership.
- Actively participate in North Suffolk peer team membership through recovery events
- Seek Continuing Education in the Peer Support field to ensure that best practices are upheld and that emerging evidence is incorporated into the work.
What You’ll Need:
- Education:
- Must possess or be willing/eligible to obtain one of the following Certifications within the first six months of employment: Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) or Family Partner
- Experience:
- Must identify as having Lived Experience of a Mental Health Diagnosis, a Substance Use Addiction, Extreme States, or Trauma that has caused significant life disruption
- Possess a desire to share those experiences in a purposeful and intentional way to influence the mental health system and provide recovery oriented support to those in ACCS services.
- Skills:
- Driver’s license preferred but not required.
- Must be CPR/first aid certified within five months of hire (training provided).
- Bilingual language skills a plus! Spanish and American Sign Language skills needed.
Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits:
- Paid Time Off – Two weeks’ Vacation per year (three weeks after 2 years of service), 12 Sick Days per year, and 11 Paid Holidays per year
- Eligible employer for the PSLF program
- Health & Dental Insurance, with generous employer contribution
- Employer Paid Life Insurance
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan with employer matching
- Voluntary Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
- Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Access to Credit Union Banking
- Access to State Tuition Remission Program (Worksite Specific)
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Discounted Movie Tickets
- Comprehensive Training Program
- Internal Advancement Opportunities
Salary : $47,500