Pathways Vermont Peer Respite Guest Support Staff

The Company: Pathways Vermont provides community-based mental health services and collaborative learning that centers people as the experts of their own lives. We strengthen our communities and the system of care by elevating the voices of lived experience. Pathways offers a great benefits package including dental and health insurance, generous paid time off and paid holidays.

The Program: Rosewood Cottage Peer Respite is a new program that offers guests a short-term retreat space in a homelike setting when they are experiencing emotional distress, wish to avoid hospitalization, and/or are interested in moving through a self-identified crisis in a peer-supported environment. The program is free to Vermonters 18 and over and is led and staffed by people with personal experience of navigating complex emotional, psychological, or other life-interrupting circumstances. There is an independent evaluation being conducted on the peer respite by the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) to inform its development and tell the story of what it can offer.

The Role: The Peer Respite Guest Support Staff provides direct peer support to guests by sharing their own lived experience of navigating what is commonly referred to as mental health challenge or crisis. This position supports guests through specialized training, including Intentional Peer Support, and assists with daily house operations.

Available Positions: Multiple

Location: In Person (Williston, VT)

Schedule: Hourly position

Per diem staff (as needed) - availability to work overnights preferred and weekends required

Required to attend weekly team meetings, co-reflection, and supervision

Supervised by: Peer Respite Program Manager or Team Lead

Application Requirements: A Cover Letter and Resume are required with your application

Responsibilities:

• Provide confidential peer support utilizing choice-based, person-centered, risk reduction, and strengths-based approaches

• Maintain an available presence and readiness at the house to engage in relationship and rapport building with guests

• Create a welcoming and comfortable environment by cleaning and preparing the space for guests following housekeeping protocols

• Partner, support, and advocate alongside guests to connect with community resources and activities as desired

• Support guests in understanding and exercising their rights while receiving mental health services

• Communicate programmatic expectations and limitations to guests

• Awareness and adherence to understanding of policies and procedures, including emergency and on-call protocols

• Maintain a self-reflective practice by completing daily journal entries for shifts worked

• Remain up-to-date on peer support and alternative mental health resources by reading related books/articles available at the house and attending relevant trainings

• Provide transportation to guests as needed in the company vehicle

• Attendance at assigned meetings and training is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager/HR

• Participate in training as assigned

• Complete the Certified Peer Support Provider (CPSP) process

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Direct lived experience of what is commonly referred to as a mental health challenge or crisis (not solely substance use challenges) and willingness to share when appropriate. Lived experience with mental health crisis services/response is considered an asset

• Ability to meet the requirements of the Certified Peer Support Provider (CPSP) process with The Copeland Center

• Ability and willingness to share one’s own life experiences with intentionality and thoughtfulness

• Commitment to providing quality peer support and alignment with peer values/ethics

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences including people who have experienced marginalization, oppression, and injustice

• Willingness to self-reflect, learn, and take responsibility. Willingness to practice new ways of being in relationships and to seek support when needed

• Ability to negotiate crisis situations and set professional boundaries and personal limits

• Ability to independently meet job requirements and prioritize downtime with guests and program focused activities and tasks

• Risk and discomfort tolerance. Willingness to try to find reconnection after disconnection

• Experience working effectively as part of a team

• Ability to work weekends

• Communication, writing, and computer skills

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive vehicle required

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience working in previous peer support roles and understanding of the peer movement’s history

• Professional peer support experience, Intentional Peer Support certification, and CPSP certification preferred

• Awareness of or experience with at least two of the following: the consumer/psychiatric survivor/ex-patient movement, mad pride movement, neurodivergence, risk reduction, and healing justice and disability justice

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication

• Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing and lifting of arms to participate in cleaning, cooking, space organization and other activities around the house

• Frequent utilization of close visual acuity and reading from a computer screen, must be able to read information captured in type and free hand form

• Frequent exposure to outside environmental conditions (all seasons) in accompanying guests in the community and outings

• Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery, including frequent typing

• Ability to ascend and descend stairs often required

• Occasional reading responsibilities

• Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds (i.e. carrying groceries, moving things around the house, etc.)

• Occasional exposure to high levels of noise and persons who are upset, angry, or in an extreme state

• Occasionally walking around the community to participate in activities with guests or accompany folks to necessary meetings

• Rarely running or moving at very swift speed to avoid emergency situation

Compensation:

$26.50/hr - per diem rate

Annual increase from date of hire

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• Long Term Disability/Life Insurance

• Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)

• 9 Paid Holidays Annually

• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Longevity Recognition Rewards

• Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings

• Access to Lake Champlain Chamber benefits, including discounted tuition at Champlain College and University of Vermont

• Student loan/tuition assistance with Vermont Care Partners

It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.