Peer Support Specialist

THE SALVATION ARMY

North and Central Illinois Division – Harbor Light

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:         Peer Support Specialist

LOCATION/DEPT:       Harbor Light

REPORTS TO:             Support Programs Manager

FLSA CATEGORY:       Non-Exempt

STATUS TYPES:          RPT

DEPARTMENT MISSION

To provide each client with positive, professional, and quality service; always promoting respect dignity and fairness to each client, while making appropriate referrals which will assist clients in reaching their maximum level of independence.

PROGRAM/CLIENT ENVIRONMENT

The backgrounds of the clients served by The Harbor Light Program will manifest a variety of inappropriate behaviors. When this occurs, employees are to respond within the context of the treatment environment of the site. Employee conduct (actions, dress, etc.) and interactions (conversations, written communications, etc.) with clients must also be within the treatment environment of the facility.

OUTCOMES

The Peer Support Specialist will aid clients seeking recovery support services and give insight from their lived experiences as clients navigate through the recovery process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintain reports and records in appropriate files, and always maintains strict confidentiality of client information.
2. Provide recovery education to clients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
3. Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
4. Assist/coach client develop their own plan for advancing their recovery; for “getting the life they want,” through community supported recovery maintenance.
5. Promote self-advocacy by assisting clients to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals and objectives established as the focal point of rehabilitation and clinical services.
6. Support connections to community based, mutual self-help groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
7. Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
8. As the Peer Support Specialist position evolves and knowledge increases, visit community resources with client to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities.
9. Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
10. Maintain contact by phone and/or e-mail with recovering person after they leave the program to ensure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency if needed. Long-term engagement, support, and encouragement.
11. Works with client to assist in completion of their Individual Recovery Plan.
12. Assists with running a variety of recovery groups including AA, NA, 12 Step, educational, and recreational.
13. All other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Support Programs Manager.

In contacts related to this position duties, this individual acts as a representative of the Army and its mission.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively and efficiently the outcomes of this position are achieved, as well as the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Certified or getting certified within 2 years as a Peer Support Specialist with IAODAPCA.
• A high school Diploma.
• Shared experience and a minimum of one year of sobriety needed.

COMPETENCIES

• A commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army and an appreciation for faith based service organizations.
• An interpersonal style that is service oriented as well as anticipates and responds to the needs of clients.
• A flexible style that also displays a willingness to learn.
• Able to work as a team member as well as independently.
• An excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes, and policies.
• Have the ability to work cooperatively with the supervisor, clinical and support staff.
• Must have a strong sense of integrity and be able to work with confidential material.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries with clients.
• A “hands-on” knowledge of how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace.
• Well organized, attentive to time management and able to establish a separation of work and personal boundaries.

POSITION LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Support Programs Manager informed on all critical issues relating to his/her area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all Army policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do light physical work and must be able to walk up two flights of stairs and lift up to 25lbs.
• The work environment for this position includes an office environment with a low to medium noise level.
• Must be able to work with clients that have poor social skills, suffer from mental illness, and have substance abuse problems.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors.  This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors; respect of others’ property and person; professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates.  Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.