Peer Support Specialist - Certified in Salt Lake City, Utah at Volunteers Of America, Utah

Benefits:

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• $1,200 annual employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly)
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off

Mission Statement

Volunteers of America, Utah provides community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. In alignment with our mission, VOA Utah encourages individuals with lived experience to apply. We recognize that a person’s life experiences can provide firsthand knowledge relevant to being successful in the work that we do.

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Program Director, the Certified Peer Support Specialist/Case Manager provides individualized and group-based supportive to agency clients with the goals of 1) assisting clients to achieve or maintain stability and independence; 2) providing assistance accessing resources to help clients meet their housing and other needs; and 3) providing expertise about the recovery process and symptom management.

Essential Duties:

• Provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team staff, both in an individual setting, as well as a group setting
• Responsible for assessing service needs and coordinating access to necessary services
• Apply, acquire, and maintain benefits long term for clients
• Provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance training, and supervision to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living
• Provide on-call crisis intervention
• Participate in weekly organizational meetings
• Complete documentation and meet minimum service time based on Cornerstone Counseling Center requirements
• Attends work on a regular and predictable basis

Non-Essential Duties:

• Maintain good professional relationships with appropriate community figures, referral sources, and other professionals.
• Maintain and enhance professional skills and knowledge through attending conferences/ workshops/courses and reading professional materials that are relevant to job requirements and approved by the Program Manager.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and adherence to Utah laws regarding confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Conduct professional life in accordance with the standards of his/her discipline and the clinical policies and procedures of the agency.
• Performs other functions as necessary or assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Certification in Utah as a Peer Support Specialist is required and work experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge/experience working with at-risk populations.
• Must have Peer Support Certification valid in Utah.
• Must have Case Management Certification valid in Utah.
• Knowledge/experience collaborating with community resources.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to build rapport with clients and engage them in case management.
• Ability to build and foster relationships with partner agencies.
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor amidst potentially high distress population.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheets.
• Driving is required: must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record, and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
• Must be able to pass Utah-DHS – Office of Licensing background screening and pre-employment drug screen.
• Work is performed inside and outside of an office environment; must have ability to climb stairs, enter client homes, as well as deliver services in shelter, on the street, etc.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry 25lbs.
• Ability to move around the facility, interacting with clients for extended periods.
• Work is generally performed in an office environment. May entail using a computer for extended periods of time.