Peer Employment Specialist

Promise Resource Network Peer Employment Specialist Charlotte, NC·Full time Apply for Peer Employment Specialist The Peer Employment Specialist provides employment and educational support to individuals with mental health challenges or disabilities. This role involves using lived experience with recovery to help peers explore career and educational opportunities, obtain jobs, and succeed in their educational pursuits. The specialist works closely with employment and education teams to offer individualized guidance, encouragement, and support. Promise Resource Network is a nonprofit survivor-led organization that disrupts illness‑based approaches to mental health and substance use by understanding the impacts of trauma and supporting healing, wellness, and recovery. Description Responsibilities Engage and establish trusting and collaborative relationships with providers and employers to achieve competitive employment in the community. Use background information and work experiences related to employment opportunities to better access vocational functioning on an on‑going basis. With permission, the Peer Employment Specialist will offer education and support to peers and their designated natural supports. Help peers access benefit information and explain how employment may affect their specific benefits. Conduct job development and job search activities for positions which focus on the peer's interests. Contact potential employers to learn about the needs of the business and communicate support offered by the Peer‑Run Employment and Career Support program. Ensure peers are matched with available employment opportunities. Offer personalized ongoing support to help maintain employment. Collaborate with peers to develop job support plans, incorporating feedback from others involved in their support. Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by peer(s), which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow‑along contact. Provide outreach services, as necessary, to peers when they become disengaged. Provide timely interventions – reacting to situations promptly. Participate in face‑to‑face meetings with stakeholders and other partners to coordinate services for peers. Develop individual employment and/or education and career plans with peers. Facilitate employment support group meetings for individuals seeking employment. Plan work hours in the community by meeting with peers, connecting with potential employers, transporting peers to job interviews, and supporting their pursuit of educational and training opportunities. Actively engage with providers to coordinate, collaborate, and advocate for peer employment. Help peers navigate educational systems and access resources for academic success, including tutoring, financial aid, disability accommodations, and other supports. Assist with enrollment processes for GED, vocational training, community college, or higher education programs. Work with each peer to develop a personalized plan that integrates their employment and education goals. Assist in identifying strengths, overcoming barriers, and developing strategies for success in both areas. Qualification and Experience Belief in the recovery potential of all people and is committed to the philosophy of peer support by reinforcing their ability to work and/or achieve higher education. Ability to receive guidance, training, and mentoring to grow skills and knowledge. Demonstrates leadership by modeling PRN and the Peer‑Run Employment and Career Support Program’s mission, values, philosophy, and guidance to team members. Demonstrates taking personal responsibility, being dependable, reliable, working as a team player, and utilizing personal determination skills. Demonstrates honesty, and integrity, is ethical, and is approachable. Ability to interact effectively with the public, providers, and other stakeholders. Excellent communication skills (oral and written) using active and reflective listening, asking curious questions, validating others' experiences, remaining non‑judgmental, and demonstrating effective conflict resolution skills. Committed to personal recovery and wellness and has a personal history of recovery and lived experiences in seeking and receiving crisis‑based support. Ability to manage time, and complete tasks accordingly with limited direct supervision. Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation. Basic knowledge of community support services/resources. Valid Drivers License and proof of insurance on vehicle. PRN believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual preference, sexual orientation, physical handicap or medical condition. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer‑employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. #J-18808-Ljbffr Promise Resource Network