Veteran Peer Navigator

About the role

CMHA is looking to hire a Full-time, 1st shift Peer Navigator for our Adult Outpatient Program. This position will be located at 233 Main St., New Britain, CT and 255 Bank St., Waterbury, CT. Hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm.

Pay

The salary range for this position starts at $18.00 per hour. Compensation is determined by years of relevant experience, education, skills, internal pay equity, benefits, and paid time off.

Responsibilities

• Provide initial and ongoing outreach and support to potential and current clients.
• Support, teach, advocate, and empower individuals with behavioral health disorders by developing person-centered recovery goals.
• Liaise with local emergency rooms, detox centers, and treatment facilities.
• Engage in traditional and recovery-oriented systems navigation, coordination of services, skill building, and eliminating barriers to care.
• Empower and educate clients to rediscover their ability to pursue and achieve a higher quality of life in the community.
• Partner with the VA and veterans to navigate systems of care and coordinate services.
• Selectively share personal recovery experience to provide hope and empowerment in individual and group modalities, including 12-step groups.
• Facilitate client support groups.
• Build trusting, recovery-oriented rapport with individuals with mental health or co-occurring disorders and link them to wrap-around services.
• Provide input and advocacy by actively participating in community meetings to ensure integrated care.
• Coach and assist clients with in-home challenges such as personal hygiene, nutrition, housekeeping, personal budgeting, and household maintenance and repair.
• Collaborate with the care team on client engagement and treatment recommendations.
• Provide encouragement and recovery knowledge to family members/natural supports.
• Carry a caseload based on program need.
• Ensure timely documentation is maintained in accordance with CMHA policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Graduate of Recovery University or certification by CCAR as a Recovery Coach preferred.
• Valid DMV license preferred.
• Must have military experience.
• Successful related work experience, preferably a minimum of 1–2 years.

Skills

• Self-motivated to work independently or as a team member in delivering the best possible care.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment serving clients and their families.
• Establishes trusting relationships with clients and their families.
• Responds calmly to emergency and crisis situations with clients and their environments.
• Knowledgeable of external resources available to enhance client success.
• Maintains the security and confidentiality of client information and records consistent with professional and CMHA codes of ethics.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to all types of issues related to client diversity.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance packages.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with CMHA matching after one year of service.
• 11 observed holidays.
• Three wellbeing days off on Fridays to extend long weekends.
• Two CMHA/personal days to use throughout the calendar year.
• Up to 24 days of PTO that increases with years of service.
• Paid agency closure between Christmas and New Year’s (except 24/7 programs; must be approved annually).
• Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling, coaching, and wellness resources for staff and household members.
• Higher-education tuition discounts at participating schools through academic partnerships.
• Free ongoing professional development and continuous access to Continuing Education Units (CEUs), including training in EMDR, DBT, and CBT.
• Employee discounts for shopping, the New Britain YMCA, travel, and entertainment.
• Free employee subscriptions to the Wellable app.
• Annual company picnic.
• CMHA-sponsored loan reimbursement and scholarship programs.
• Free Student Loan Wellness for eligible employees and family members, including student loan consolidation and refinancing, payoff projection dashboard, coaching and support, college cost calculator, and financial planning tools.
• NHSC-approved sites for federal student loan repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) enhancement, including automated PSLF form management and recertification reminders.