Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist Job Category: Direct Service Requisition Number: PEERS005574 Full-Time Holyoke, MA 010403211, USA The Center for Human Development, (CHD) is seeking a Peer Specialist to join our team. The Peer Support Specialist uses their own unique lived experience in order to support and advocate for those who have had similar life-disrupting challenges, such as psychiatric diagnoses, trauma histories, homelessness, or problems with substance use. Responsibilities Offers support to people receiving services to find their voice and identify wants, needs, goals, and dreams. Offers support to identify challenges and barriers to self-determined wants and needs, as well as open-ended exploration towards overcoming them. Offers advocacy and/or support in preparation for and/or during a variety of formal or informal meetings (e.g. treatment planning, medical appointments, employment services, etc) with a primary focus on ensuring the voice, preferences, and strengths of the individual receiving services are acknowledged and respected. Partners in the exploration of community resources and/or recreational activities. Offers support and/or advocacy during the start-up and conclusion of the service relationship with CHD. Acts as a resource broker, connecting people they support with natural supports, community resources, and continued opportunities to access peer support at the conclusion of a respite stay. Partners in researching and uncovering new information and learning opportunities. Communicates, represents, and promotes the perspective of the person receiving services, serving as an advocate in collaboration with the person. Facilitates mutual support and self-help groups and/or supports people receiving services in the development of their own leadership and facilitation skills. Promotes the other staff's learning and understanding of each person's cultural identity and choices. Develops activities, programs, and resources that support people in recovery to achieve their self-identified goals. Works with individuals to develop or strengthen natural support networks outside of the human service or Mental Health Systems Requirements Must Have Direct Lived Experience with psychiatric diagnoses, trauma histories, homelessness, problems with substance and/or other life-disrupting events Strong interpersonal skills and empathy for others Ability to work well within a team model and independently Bilingual candidates (Spanish/English) are strongly encouraged to apply ($1 differential for bilingual candidates) SUCCESS FACTORS: The Peer Specialist supports Persons currently utilizing Respite Services to navigate emotional distress and extreme states with the core mission of transforming what is commonly referred to as a \"crisis\" into a learning and growth opportunity. Other core competencies include working with individuals to move towards their hopes and dreams in life, and to live in the least restrictive environment of their own choosing while offering feedback and consultation to the other respite staff related to the overall understanding and approach in how services are provided. Overarching objectives include broadening perspectives on emotional and or/mental distress, sharing information about community resources, advocacy alongside individuals receiving services, and trauma-informed mutual support. Take advantage of a competitive compensation at $20.00/hr ($1 differential for bilingual candidates) as well as a phenomenal benefit package that includes, Dental, Health and Life insurance. Paid time off, Earned Vacation Time Qualifications SkillsPreferred First Aid Certif - Current-Novice CPR Certif - Current-Novice Behaviors Preferred Team Player: Works well as a member of a group Innovative: Consistently Introduces New Ideas And Demonstrates Original Thinking Detail Oriented Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well #J-18808-Ljbffr