About the position
Independent Living, Inc. is looking to hire a Peer Recovery Specialist covering Westchester and Putnam counties that can be engaging and supportive towards individuals and families as they navigate the substance use treatment system. As a Peer Recovery Specialist, you’ll support individuals and families with recovery service plans, assist with access to benefits and connections as well as advocating on their behalf for things they need. Independent Living, Inc., is a progressive and dynamic cross-disability services organization and a leader in the provision of peer services in the Hudson Valley region. As a Peer Recovery Specialist, you must have 'lived' experience with substance use recovery either personally or through a family member or friend who has gone through recovery and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed. High School diploma/equivalent plus equivalent years of experience (bachelor’s degree in human services, preferred but not needed) plus two years of peer coaching or advocacy experience. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
- Proactively engage families and individuals on how to access and navigate the substance use treatment system
- Provide group support that focuses on recovery, wellness, and coping skills to families and individuals regarding substance use disorders (SUD)
- Help participants create individual recovery service plans based on recovery goals and steps to achieve those goals
- Use recovery-oriented tools to help participants address challenges
- Assist participants to build their own self-directed wellness plans
- Assist participants to access benefits, entitlements, legal assistance, civic restoration, transportation support, health management, stable housing, and education and employment connections
- Support participants in their decision-making
- Set up and sustain participants and family self-help and educational groups
- Offer a sounding board and shoulder to lean on
- Advocate with individuals for what they need
- Support people in crisis
- Share their personal stories of recovery
- Act as a role model/mentor to participants by assisting individuals to self-advocate and coordinate their own services
- Act demand-responsive to inquiries through multiple channels (i.e. in person, telephonic, text, blogs) while working a flexible schedule to meet the needs of consumers
- Coordinate a variety of activities that encourage engagement, employment, self-management and personal wellness
- Provide services through the Home and Community Based Service Waiver as needed
- Maintain a current and working knowledge of systems issues
- Engage in individual advocacy by assisting participants with substance use disorders in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints, accessing services and navigating community supports of their choice
- Engage in systems advocacy by representing the concerns of consumers with substance abuse disorders through the identification of patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these systemic problems
- Network with other agency providers and community support services to maintain an integrated support system for persons with SUD
- Facilitate and support the development of an integrated support network for individuals which includes but is not limited to case management, benefits advisement, supported housing, self-help, employment and educational services, in addition to other community supports individuals may wish to access
- Enter database statistics as required by due date
- Complete statistical reports for the Program Manager by specified due date
- Complete all reporting and record keeping as required
- Complete the partner facilities’ onboarding process and maintain authorization to provide services at their location(s)
- Attend and actively participate in all meetings and training sessions provided by Independent Living, Inc. and specific to the job responsibilities of the position
Requirements
- CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) preferred
- Must have lived experience with substance use recovery either personally or through a family member or friend who has gone through recovery and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed
- High School diploma/equivalent plus equivalent years of experience (bachelor’s degree in human services, preferred but not needed) plus two years of peer coaching or advocacy experience
- Must complete approved advocacy training programs within the first six months of employment
- NYCPS (New York Certified Peer Specialist) certification desirable
- Must have a working knowledge of the recovery process and be willing to promote multi-pathway to recovery
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
- Knowledge of ASL a plus
- Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and IL and other disability related services
- Knowledge of local, statewide and national disability related issues and community dynamics
- Working knowledge of confidentiality requirements related to records pertaining to Mental Health and Chemical Dependency laws
- Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
- Must have good time management skills and be self-directing
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation
Nice-to-haves
- Bachelor’s degree in human services
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays from the first day of employment
