S

Services for the Underserved

Offers services to underserved New Yorkers

Peer Specialist

Residential & Direct SupportPosted on Nov 5
Full-timeBrooklyn, NY, USA$21.63 - $24.03 /hr

About the Job

Requirements

  • A high level of comfort around people experiencing mental health crisis.
  • Lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
  • A high school diploma or equivalent (GED).

Responsibilities

  • Develop partnerships with guests experiencing crisis using trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, intentional peer support.
  • Promote a safe, comfortable, secure, and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected; practice Intentional Peer Support (IPS).
  • Use knowledge and skills gained from personal experience with the behavioral health system to support guests' personal recovery processes.
  • Create community through mutual sharing of lived experiences and encourage and support participation in daily activities within the BCR.
  • Assist with pre-registration for individuals referred by hospitals and other treatment providers, as well as those who self-refer.
  • Assist with intake and registration of new guests, explain services and expectations, provide a tour of the premises, and introduce guests to staff and other guests.
  • Collaborate with Health Home and other community provider staff, when appropriate, to help guests identify, plan for, and realize short-term personal goals and priorities while in the Crisis Program.
  • Facilitate individual and group educational, recovery, wellness, and skill-building activities, including wellness self-management, WRAP, peer support, harm reduction, and social or leisure activities.
  • Follow up with guests to monitor and support progress toward goal achievement.
  • Advocate for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear, stigma, and communication with professional staff.
  • Assist guests with activities of daily living and participate in maintaining a clean living environment.
  • Document interactions with guests, services provided, critical information and events, collateral contacts, and referrals accurately and on time, as required by SUS policies and the OMH Crisis Program.
  • Perform household upkeep duties as needed.
  • Support meal preparation and help guests access snacks, toiletries, and food items daily while encouraging guest participation.
  • Participate in data collection and recording related to outcomes, outreach, and other tracking.
  • Participate in supervision, team meetings, trainings, case conferences, and other relevant meetings as required by SUS.
  • Provide flexible evening, night, weekend, and holiday coverage.

Desired Qualifications

  • Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model.
  • Completion of a core peer specialist training program is preferred at hire; it must be obtained within the probation period.
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including empathic listening and responding.
  • Ability to use critical thinking, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills to help create and maintain an environment that promotes recovery.
  • Ability to use computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Spanish-English bilingual ability is highly preferred.

About the Company

Services for the Underserved

Offers services to underserved New Yorkers

Services for the Underserved (S:US) provides social services to New Yorkers facing homelessness, disability, behavioral health and addiction, poverty, criminal justice involvement, and trauma. It coordinates housing, case management, behavioral health treatment, rehabilitation, advocacy, and other supports across New York City and Long Island to address multiple needs in one place. It differentiates itself by its scale and its integrated, place-based approach that combines housing, health, and justice services rather than focusing on a single issue. Its goal is to help people live with purpose, improve neighborhoods, and break the cycle of poverty for current and future generations.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
1978

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Services for the Underserved

See more jobs