Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

We are seeking Peer Support Specialists for our Adult Community Clinical Services Program (ACCS). As a Peer Specialist for North Suffolk, you'll build supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning. The Peer Specialist position is designated for a person who has lived experience and wants to help guide others through the recovery process.

We have multiple full and part-time positions available in Boston, East Boston and Chelsea. Please indicate preferred location in application.

Salaries start at $47,500 for non-certified applicants and $51,300 for Certified Peers. Additional language differential for fluency in American Sign Language - please indicate language skills in application!

What you'll do:

• Support persons served through life and care transitions, including visiting a hospital or other restrictive setting in order to provide connection and transition planning.
• Help clients establish goals to aid in their recovery
• Educate non-peer staff about self-directed care and how to best support a person through risk and crisis situations.
• Use peer-supported evidence based practices including WRAP, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness exercises, Stages of Change, and others
• Commit to becoming an agent of change through presenting regular trainings and periodic in-service trainings for non-peer staff
• Provide support through self-disclosure of one's own experiences and the tenets of recovery to develop the skills for self-advocacy
• Facilitate and co-facilitate skill-building, mutually supportive groups, and emphasize the importance of quality of life activities and community membership.
• Actively participate in North Suffolk peer team membership through recovery events
• Seek continuing education in the peer support field to ensure that best practices are upheld and that emerging evidence is incorporated into the work.

What You'll Need:

• Education: Must possess or be willing/eligible to obtain one of the following certifications within the first six months of employment: Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) or Family Partner
• Experience: Must identify as having lived experience of a mental health diagnosis, a substance use addiction, extreme states, or trauma that has caused significant life disruption. Possess a desire to share those experiences in a purposeful and intentional way to influence the mental health system and provide recovery oriented support to those in ACCS services.
• Skills: Driver's license preferred but not required. Must be CPR/first aid certified within five months of hire (training provided). Bilingual language skills a plus! Spanish and American Sign Language skills needed.

Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits:

• Paid Time Off Two weeks' vacation per year (three weeks after 2 years of service), 12 sick days per year, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Eligible employer for the PSLF program
• Health & dental insurance, with generous employer contribution
• Employer paid life insurance
• 403 (b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Voluntary short and long term disability insurance
• Medical & dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Access to credit union banking
• Access to state tuition remission program (worksite specific)
• Employee referral bonus program
• Discounted movie tickets
• Comprehensive training program
• Internal advancement opportunities

North Suffolk Mental Health Association