Peer Support Specialist

Closing Date: October 5, 2026

About the role

To provide peer support to individuals, with lived mental health experiences through positive self-disclosure, to assist in obtaining their goals related to Independent Living, vocations and improve Quality of Life.

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals with mental illness complete a Quality-of-Life Self-Assessment.
• Educate and assist individuals with developing Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) when necessary.
• Support individuals in learning how to live in the community in a healthy manner.
• Provide advocacy when dealing with medical or mental health personnel, housing, independent living skills, benefits advisement, peer support, information and referral and mobility training.
• Assess benefit forms for each individual served.
• Provide rapid employment techniques and skills needed for mental health recipients to assist in finding employment.
• Provide peer counseling to recipients of mental health services.
• Facilitate weekly peer support self-help meetings regarding quality-of-life concerns.

Requirements

• Must be a certified NYS Certified Peer Specialist/Provisional, within one (1) year of being hired.
• Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.
• High school diploma or equivalency OR an Associate degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.
• OR Bachelor's degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.

Skills

• Must be able to type thirty-five (35) words per minute.
• Applicants must be a current or former consumer of mental health services.
• Ability to travel independently and commute to sites in all counties WNYIL operates is required.
• Must have intermediate level of knowledge of computers including the use of Excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing and networks.
• Perform in a professional, conscientious, and efficient manner for the purpose of ensuring a better quality of life for persons with disabilities.

Pay

$40,000-$42,000/Year

Schedule

Full-time