Certified Peer Specialist

Project Renewal is a leading non-profit organization with the mission of building supportive communities where people achieve dignity and independence, renewing their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Our comprehensive and integrated 24/7 programs are designed to offer the holistic care our clients need. With a staff of 950+ and an annual budget of $140 million, Project Renewal is one of the larger social service nonprofits in New York City.

Title:                       Certified Peer Specialist

Program:                Kenton Hall

Salary Range:        $42,000- $45,000 + Benefits

Duration:                12 months (possibility of contract renewal)

Schedule:               Mon.-Friday, 4-day work schedule option  

Program:

The New Providence Women’s Shelter is a 130 bed 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless women diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Our comprehensive services include case management, individual and group counseling, recreational activities and housing placement assistance.  Additionally, an on-site Article 28 Clinic provides primary and behavioral health care services. 

Overall Responsibilities

Work exclusively in shelter programs whose clients who are struggling with substance use, experienced trauma, and living with psychiatric illnesses.  in mental health or substance use recovery. Provide advocacy, outreach, recovery and crisis support. Assist participants to regain independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Assist participants to identify their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies and crisis prevention tools. Provide supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies and self-help opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential duties of the Certified Peer Specialist include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Complete assessments, daily work logs and case notes.
• Meet regularly with participants in the shelter providing peer service
• Provide counseling services including teaching coping skills, relapse prevention strategies, wellness management and social skills to help participants become more independent and achieve their goals.
• Teach independent living skills.
• Assist participants to secure housing.
• Connect participants to community resources and on-site support services.
• Communicate/collaborate with participants’ treatment providers.
• Participate in staff meetings, case conferences, and relevant trainings.
• Conduct daily meetings with clients
• Conduct NARCAN Trainings for both staff and clients
• Conduct groups on a daily basis at assigned shelter site
• Escort clients when needed to appointments, programs
• Other duties as assigned.
• Collaborate with participants assigned case managers to discuss clients' needs/progress

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Certification or Provisional Certification as Peer Specialist or Recovery Peer Advocate.
•  Adequate writing and computer skills for completion of reports, case notes, and other documentation as needed in electronic health reporting system.
• Personal lived experience with mental illness or substance use.
• Willingness to share personal experience with others.

Preferred skills:

• Teamwork: Ability to work cooperatively with peers and other staff in order to serve the needs of clients as effectively as possible  
• Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff and with clients
• Computer: Proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Word, and Outlook
• Language: Bilingual or multilingual a plus

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer.  Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail), physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.