Peer Support Specialist

Job description:

Overview
We are seeking dedicated and compassionate Certified Peer Specialists to join our team. We have full-time openings in our Self-Help Drop-In Center and our Creative Wellness Opportunities programs. These roles are essential in providing support and guidance to individuals navigating their mental health recovery journey. As a Certified Peer Specialist, you will leverage your lived experiences and training to foster hope, resilience, and empowerment among clients, helping them achieve their personal goals.

If you have lived experience with mental health recovery and a passion for helping others, we want to hear from you

About the Role:

1. Self-Help Drop-In Center – In-House Support

Our Drop-In Center is a safe, inclusive space where individuals can receive compassionate, non-clinical peer support in times of crisis.

• Provide one-on-one and group peer support
• Support individuals in crisis and encourage wellness-focused self-management
• Offer community resource navigation and referrals
• Promote boundary setting, resilience, and self-determination
• Maintain accurate, confidential documentation in compliance with HIPAA
• Foster a supportive, recovery-oriented atmosphere

Hours for Self-Help Drop-In Center: schedules are typically either 1 pm - 9 pm or 10 am - 6 pm

2. Creative Wellness Opportunities

Creative Wellness Opportunities (CWO) has workshops and mutual support groups facilitated by peers in recovery. Current offerings include a variety of creative arts workshops, meditation, stretching, guitar and mutual support groups.

• Facilitate creative workshops and classes for mental wellness
• Provide on-on-one and group peer support in a creative setting
• Offer community resource navigation and referrals
• Promote boundary setting, resilience, and self-determination
• Maintain accurate, confidential documentation in compliance with HIPAA
• Foster a supportive, recovery-oriented atmosphere

Hours for Creative Wellness Opportunities: schedules are typically 9 am - 5 pm

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Required Certification:
• NYS Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS – Provisional or Permanent) OR NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) - or ability to obtain within one year of hire
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to engage individuals with empathy and without judgment
• Strong documentation and communication skills
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred

Experience:

• Experience and knowledge of the public mental health system
• 1+ years experience working as a Peer Support Specialist
• Personal lived experience with mental health required

Salary Description

$ per hour