Job Title: Peer Support Specialist

Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in psychology, social work, etc.

• Must be a Veteran; combat experience preferred
• Flexibility to work non-traditional business hours

• Knowledge of Community Resources

Skills and Abilities

• Verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to record with clarity and promptness

• Good listening skills and the ability to ask appropriate questions
• Ability to maintain poise, control and effectiveness in providing services to clients even under extreme stress and unexpected crises

• Appropriately assertive even in difficult situations

• Must demonstrate mature and objective, non-judgmental behaviors

• Ability to assess situations both within and outside the client system and determine priorities

• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with clients from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds
• Maintains positive work relationships with other staff, is cooperative and promotes teamwork

• Effectiveness in planning and arranging work responsibilities including handling deadlines and changes in priorities
• Ability to identify and use community resources

• Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency image
• Assumes responsibility for own learning
• Handles delicate situations tactfully

• Ability to work within the purpose, structure and constraints of the Agency and to make suggestions for change in a responsible manner

• Must maintain strict client confidentiality
• Commitment to professional growth

Core Values of Staff

Compassion. We act with compassion toward others and work for the good of others by respecting people as the authors of their own lives.

Job Related Training Courses & Programs

• Orientation

• On-going in-service training

• Forty hours annually of continuing education in service area
• Initial and ongoing training in the areas of Veterans and their families

• Providing individual peer support, encouragement, and recovery-oriented guidance to Veterans and/or their families
• Facilitating or co-facilitating Veteran and Veteran family peer support groups as assigned

• Connecting clients with community resources and assisting them with accessing needed services and supports
• Encouraging client engagement, self-advocacy, goal setting, and follow-through with recommended services
• Sharing lived experience appropriately to build trust, promote hope, and support recovery and stability

• Ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and signed where appropriate
• Completing service notes and required reports for each client contact or session
• Documenting all contacts with or activities on behalf of each client, including individual sessions, group sessions, cancellations and no-shows, advocacy, referrals, and phone contacts

• Collaborating with supervisors, coworkers, and community partners to support coordinated services for clients
• Communicating client needs, concerns, and progress in a timely and professional manner
• Participating in team meetings, case staffing, and service planning as assigned
• Supporting a respectful, recovery-oriented environment for clients and staff

• Following agency policies, program procedures, and applicable standards for service delivery
• Completing assigned tasks, documentation, and follow-up activities accurately and within required timeframes
• Participating in quality improvement efforts and implementing feedback to strengthen services

• Keeping information confidential

• Adhering to agency policies, professional boundaries, and all applicable ethical and confidentiality standards

• Complying with appropriate program standards and guidelines
• Completing required agency and funder paperwork in a timely and accurate manner

• Complying with agency procedures, rules and regulations

• Assessing lethality of individual client situations
• Developing and reviewing safety plans with clients
• Coordinating and cooperating with law enforcement or other authorities as needed

• Communicating effectively
• Exhibiting a willingness to help other staff
• Demonstrating flexibility and accommodating change
• Encouraging and supporting others
• Giving and receiving feedback

• Participating regularly in supervision, consultation, and required staff meetings

• Participating in continued education and personal growth experiences
• Reviewing professional publications

• Work non-traditional hours and/or alternate schedule during special projects or to meet agency deadlines.