Peer Support Specialist (PSS)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Support Specialist will provide Peer Recovery Support Services acting as a mentor and guide forthose at any of the stages of change. The peer specialist promotes recovery by supporting a peer to remove or minimize barriers, connect to the recovery community and engage in self-directed services. This offers a unique opportunity to build relationships of equality, trust and confidence in which a peer specialist values each individual’s beliefs and supports them in mapping out a self-directed journey.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support peer voice and peer choice
• Serve as a role model who shares personal strengths and skills as well as the knowledge that
• recovery is possible for everyone
• Support the values of Communities for Recovery, abide by the State of Texas Peer Specialist
• Code of Ethics, and maintains peer specialist state certification
• Model, advocate, and promote peer values within the community
• Punctual attendance to all required meetings and appointments
• Maintain a recovery circle of twenty to twenty-five “active” participants that ensures frequency of engagement is appropriate to the level of support needed for participant goals
• Provide an average of 4 hours of direct service daily. Direct service includes individual sessions, telephonic support, program meetings, support groups, and social activities.
• Ensure the completion of deliverables as defined by their funder’s contract. This may include assessments such as the GPRA, BARC 10, or monthly CMBHS documentation.
• Regularly engages supervisor in review of activities, engagements, and progress of their peer circle and requests support when needed.
• Assist participants in developing and maintaining recovery action plans by supporting them in identifying personal strengths, interests, social relationships, hopes, and sources of well-being, as well as knowledge and skills
• Inform and role model accessing community opportunities and resources that align with their goals and interests
• Provide recovery support services in the areas of emotional, instrumental, informational, and affiliational support at a dosage and frequency comparable to peer needs
• Ensure privacy and confidentiality of information is maintained
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of demographic information, intakes, engagements, sessions, referrals, assessments, and recovery action plans.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understands and can apply in their work the following Peer Support Principles: Recovery-Oriented, Person-Centered, Relationship-Focused, Trauma-Informed, Voluntary, Self Determination and supports Dignity of Risk. 
• Has knowledge of all pathways to recovery and is fully supportive of a participant’s right to have their own self-directed recovery pathway.
• Be strong in their belief that people can move forward in self-direct life in recovery - and have the ability to convey this perspective to others
• Communication skills that foster healthy relationships, build rapport, promote trust, and support individuals in their person-centered recovery
• Possess effective communication skills with participants, team members, partners, and the community
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment as a productive team member
• Work independently and possess strong time management skills
• Be able to communicate in a friendly and informative manner with people from a wide variety of cultural, socio-economic, lifestyles, and ethnic backgrounds
• Have the ability to express themselves in both written and verbal communication
• Be able to effectively use and/or learn to use computers, mobile devices, tablets, and program related software
• Understand and ensure the ethical practices of a Peer Support Specialist
• Knowledge and ability to competently access and navigate community resources
• Maintain personal and professional boundaries, model self-care, and personal recovery 

JOB SUPPORTS & TRAINING PROVIDED

• Direct supervision from a Peer Specialist Supervisor
• Training specific to the Peer Specialist role
• Weekly support and feedback sessions with a Peer Specialists Team

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Must be a person with lived experience and currently in self-directed recovery
• Background check free of arrests/convictions related to assault and/or endangering the safety of others (arrests/convictions older than two years will be considered on an individual basis)
• Must have obtained or is in the process of receiving a Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS),
• Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS), or Justice Involved Recovery Peer Specialist (JIRPS)
• State of Texas Certification (See License /Certificate information.)

Preferred

• One year of experience working with people in recovery

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Texas driver’s license
• Certified State of Texas Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) or approved by the Texas Certification Board to begin 250-hour internship toward Full RSPS Certification

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Community and office environment
• Some local travel required

Pay

• $41,600-45,760 yearly DOE

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays

DISCLAIMER: All statements are intended to describe the generic nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job description. They are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in this classification.

Salary : $41,600 - $45,760