What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Counselor position at Pride Health?
Job Title: Peer Specialist
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Full-time, Onsite) Must have flexibility for one evening shift per week (e.g., 11 PM–7 AM) and one Saturday per month
- Pay Rate: $24/hr.
- Duration: 13-week contract (with potential for permanent hire)
- Permanent Salary Range (if hired): Up to $50,000/year
Position Overview:
The Peer Specialist supports individuals in behavioral health treatment by building authentic, trust-based relationships and encouraging recovery and wellness. This role involves outreach, emotional support, goal setting, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. As part of a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), the Peer Specialist plays a key role in helping individuals navigate mental health and substance use recovery, promote self-advocacy, and connect with resources.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop supportive relationships grounded in empathy, active listening, and shared lived experience
- Assist individuals in clarifying personal goals and creating recovery and wellness plans
- Advocate with and for participants in both team and community settings
- Promote self-awareness, coping skills, and community engagement
- Help foster a recovery-oriented, culturally inclusive team environment
- Communicate regularly with the team, report safety concerns, and co-create documentation with participants when appropriate
Qualifications:
- NYCPS Certification or Provisional Certification required
- Personal lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery, and willingness to share as appropriate
- Strong interpersonal and boundary-setting skills
- Familiarity with CCBHC model and local community resources
- Ability to work independently and travel locally to meet participants (approx. 50% of the time)
- Must be open to evening and weekend shift requirements
- Crisis response readiness and participation in on-call coverage as needed
Pride Health offers eligible employee’s comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity), 401(k)-retirement savings, life & disability insurance, an employee assistance program, legal support, auto, home insurance, pet insurance, and employee discounts with preferred vendors.