Services for the Underserved
Location
New York, NY | United States
Job description
USD $35,000.00/Yr.
USD $43,000.00/Yr.
S:US is seeking a Peer Specialist for our short term homeless prevention program in Manhattan.
This position is located at 2276 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10035
SCOPE OF ROLE :
Supporting independence and community inclusion, S:US’ Homeless Services division promotes person-centered services that focus on recovery. We apply evidence-based practice, data-driven accountability, compassion and dedication to our work. Our mission to bring opportunity to all includes recognizing and amplifying the diverse strengths of the people we serve and our teams. We strive to instill respect and integrity into each interaction and support the voices of the people we serve.
The Peer Specialis t facilitates engagement with teams by forging strong connections with participants and families, undertaking outreach activities designed to promote community awareness of S:US services, encouraging help-seeking, and at times serving as a bridge between team members and participants when they experience ambivalence about engagement in services and/or treatment. The SAMHSA Peer will assist participants in the completion of assessments, referrals, program materials and to access community-based supports.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Engagement: - Create a sense of community through the mutual sharing of lived experiences.
- Create professional boundaries when working with participants.
- Facilitate engagement with teams by forging strong connections with participants and families.
- Undertake outreach activities designed to promote community awareness of S:US services.
- Encourage help-seeking, and at times serving as a bridge between team members and participants when they experience ambivalence about treatment or other services.
- Develop authentic, meaningful relationships with individuals and families through empathy, listening and collaborating with genuine curiosity and interest.
Understand, share and discuss multiple frameworks for understanding life experiences with participants and the rest of the S:US team. Peer Specialists intentionally use language in the service of listening to understand and making space for complex personal stories of recovery and resilience.
Advocacy and Support:
- Advocates for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing potential barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear and stigma, and communication with professional staff.
- Advocate with and for program participants both in the larger community and on the team.
- Facilitate individual and group-based educational, recovery, wellness and skill building opportunities including: wellness self-management; WRAP; peer support; harm reduction; and other social or leisure activities.
- Collaborate with participants to clarify their personal visions and develop their wellness toolkit.
- Support participants in strengthening their self-awareness, building life skills, and connecting to resources and community outside of the S:US team.
- Work actively within the team itself to help build an environment that operates from a belief in the human potential to grow and an understanding of human diversity.
- Accompany individuals to appointments and community/leisure activities.
- Carry a small caseload, as needed.
Communication:
- Peer Specialists maintain open and frequent communication with the team. This includes reporting safety and other concerns to team members.
- Responsible for timely and accurate documentation including documentation of interactions with guests, services provided, critical information and events, contacts with collaterals and referrals, as required by S:US and program policies.
- Actively participate in agency and staff team meetings, individualized/team supervision, coaching and professional development activities.
- Attend all required trainings.
- Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
- Participate in required training and professional development activities.
- Perform other duties as required.
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KEY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and team members, appreciating their social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and their age, gender and abilities.
- Integrity: Uphold personal and professional ethics and values, considering the values of the organization and respecting the culture, beliefs and abilities of individuals we serve.
- Person-Centered: Support the person’s independence, choice and control, by providing only as much support as the person needs to engage in behavior of his/her choice provide specific skills that will help the person to be more independent.
- Continuous Quality Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement. Regularly search for information and implement solutions to solve problems, improve quality/service, efficiency, effectiveness and/or reduce costs. Use a systematic approach manage change in a way that clarify priorities and reduce concern experienced by others.
- Engagement : Use strong interpersonal skills to help individuals feel comfortable and motivated by using language and an approach that helps overcome barriers or stigma. Involve care managers or other team members when appropriate to help individuals and families engage fully in their care.
- Active participation in self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, or participant run organizations or similar experiences or programs required.
- Must have lived experience with the NYC human services/homeless system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
- Understanding of the community in which the team is based with an awareness of available community resources.
- The Peer Specialist should also be someone who has made positive and productive progress toward his or her own recovery.
- Demonstrate good interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and effectively work with participants.
- Must possess the ability/ willingness to disclose their recovery story (where appropriate) for the purposes of empowerment.
- Excellent judgment/ ability to understand boundaries when working with participants is required.
- Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery
- Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel
- Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
Benefits Overview: We offer attractive compensation with comprehensive benefits including: Medical/Dental/Prescription/Vision/Life Insurance; 403(b); Credit Union; FSAs; Short-and-Long-Term Disability; Transportation Plan; Generous Paid Vacations and Holidays’
S:US IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Join a team of employees who cares about the wellbeing of others. We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values: respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement.
S:US is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. S:US is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities, including allowance of the use of services animals. To request reasonable accommodation or if you believe such a request was improperly handled or denied, contact the Director of Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
2024-15560
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