Peer Support Specialist

About the role

The Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) program will enhance our community's ability to provide timely and effective crisis intervention and support. This position operates with an after-hours crisis line, offering round-the-clock support.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Self-transport within the community within 60 minutes of receiving a crisis call.
• Collaborate with the crisis team to assist clients with symptom management and recovery.
• Model wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and hopefulness through sharing one's story.
• Help providers better understand and empathize with clients' unique experiences.
• Guide and encourage clients to actively participate in their recovery.
• Teach clients self-advocacy skills.
• Promote personal growth and development with mental health issues.
• Aid clients in managing activities of daily living, vocational skills, housing access, financial support, and building support networks.
• Provide side-by-side support, coaching, and encouragement for socialization and leisure activities.
• Organize and lead social and recreational activities and provide opportunities to practice social skills.
• Link clients to external sources of help when needed.
• Encourage clients to connect with other consumers who have successfully recovered.
• Share personal experiences with mental illness and recovery when appropriate.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and supervision meetings.

Education / Job Experience / Certification

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, or a related field preferred.
• Individual lived experience or experience as a caregiver of a child with behavioral health needs.
• Demonstrated ability to work within agency structure, accept supervision, and participate in a multi-disciplinary team, when applicable.
• At least 21 years of age and hold a valid driver's license.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications

• Strong understanding of community resources and social services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle high-stress situations with professionalism and composure.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Firm understanding and ability to document and report writing.
• Comfortable working in an emotionally charged environment.

Work Environment

This position requires work on-site and off-site in the community. Evening and weekend work hours are necessary. This is not a hybrid position.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Retail Plan (401k)
• Tuition Reimbursement

Summary

UCAN offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, accident coverage, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, a retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, and more. We also provide group life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability insurance, employee assistance programs, and an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.