Job Summary:

In addition to the roles and responsibilities of a Peer Support Specialist, the Senior Peer Support Specialist assists the Program Director with mentoring new and existing staff and in carrying out day-to-day operations of the department.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: (Additional duties may be assigned)  

• Peer Support Services
• Engages individuals in a personal, supportive manner, creating relationships that emphasize wellness and recovery. 
• Provides individuals with services consistent with the department goals and outcomes. This may include individual, group and/or support services. This may include providing services at the program site and/or in the community. 
• Addresses mental health concerns and behaviors by providing department services. 
• Empowers participants to be self-advocates in their own lives. 
• Collaborates with community resources and makes referrals as necessary. 
• Maintains appropriate documentation in a timely manner consistent with department requirements and HIPAA regulations. 
• Mentorship of Department Peer Support Specialists
• Serves as a point person to staff to successfully fulfill their responsibilities as a Peer Support Specialist within the department. 
• Supports an organizational culture of being culturally sensitive and trauma informed. 
• Ensures organizational policies and procedures are adhered to consistent with federal, state and local laws and regulations. 
• Serves as supervisor in the absence of the Director. 
• Day to Day Operations
• Assists Program Director to ensure that services are adequately staffed, department deadlines are met, meetings are scheduled, and departmental efficiencies and operational improvements are made. 
• Plans and organizes events, staff training and department engagement activities. 
• Carries out identified tasks consistent with fulfilling department goals and outcomes.
• Other
• Schedules meetings and appointments (both in person and virtually) as needed. Ensures all attendees have communication regarding meeting location, etc. 
• Documents and distributes accurate notes from meetings in a timely manner. 
• Attends meetings as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None 

Education and Experience:

• Associate degree in a Human Service-related field or experience equivalent. 
• Minimum of two years’ experience providing peer/youth/family support services. 
• Experience and knowledge of the public mental health system. 
• Must have obtained either a provisional peer certification (and obtain permanent certification within one year of hire) or have peer certification as required by the department for which they will work (adult/youth/family). Certification must be maintained throughout employment. 

Equipment, Machines and Software Used:

• Ability to operate various office equipment including computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, photocopier, scanner, and calculator.
• Computer Software: Microsoft Office to include Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel. Experience with Paylocity payroll system preferred. 
• NYS motor vehicle license, safe driving record and availability of personal vehicle for work is required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills including verbal and written communication. 
• Skill in planning and scheduling to establish deadlines and ensure the timely completion of several independent tasks and short-term projects. 
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems. 
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. 
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports. 
• Ability to respond to questions from staff and program participants.
• Individuals must demonstrate sensitivity, respect, and competency with diverse cultural backgrounds, social identities and practices of community members and be willing to participate in anti-racism focused diversity training to increase skills in this area.
• Personal lived experience with mental health is preferred.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred. 

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Ability to exert up to 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities. 
• Finger dexterity required to operate telephone and computer keyboard. 
• Hearing at a level to enable one to hear normal conversation. 
• Visual requirements of having the ability to read documents, the computer screen, etc. 

Environmental Conditions:

• Work is performed in a typical office environment where there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions unless otherwise directed. (Life Skills, Creative Wellness Center)
• Work is performed in a typical office environment where there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions unless otherwise directed AND in the community in which there is minimal risk based on community circumstances. (Drop-In Services, Community Based Peer Support, CORE, Youth Peer Support Services, Family Support Services, Education/Training and Employment Services).

Work Hours:

• The standard work week is 35 hours. Hours of work is department specific. Flexibility may be required on occasion. 
• This work cannot be performed from home or in hybrid format.  

Compensation:

• Compensation will be in the range of $24-28/hr. 

Disclaimer:

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.  
• The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.