Peer Recovery Specialist -Putnam/Westchester Counties

Independent Living, Inc. a progressive and dynamic disability services organization with 4 locations in Newburgh, Middletown, Yonkers (Mt. Vernon) and Monticello, NY is seeking to hire Peer Recovery Specialists that are familiar with the recovery community in and around Peekskill, Mt. Vernon, Carmel, Cold Springs, White Plains, and Yonkers (Westchester and Putnam Counties) who will proactively engage families and individuals on how to access and navigate the substance use treatment system to assist them through their recovery journey. Must be a peer and have personal “lived” experience with substance use recovery and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Proactively engage families and individuals on how to access and navigate the substance use treatment system and negotiate insurance barriers to treatment.
• Provide group support, education, recovery information and skill building classes and workshops to families and individuals regarding substance use disorders (SUD).
• Support peers and families, both individually and in small groups, with the following activities:

• Help peers create individual recovery service plans based on recovery goals and steps to achieve those goals;
• Use recovery-oriented tools to help peers address challenges;
• Assist peers to build their own self-directed wellness plans;
• Assist peers to access benefits, entitlements, legal assistance, civic restoration, transportation support, health management, stable housing, and education and employment connections;
• Support peers in their decision-making;
• Set up and sustain peer and family self-help and educational groups;
• Offer a sounding board and shoulder to lean on;
• Advocate with individuals for what they need;
• Support people in crisis;
• Share their personal stories of recovery.

• Act as a role model/mentor to peers by assisting individuals to self advocate and coordinate their own services.
• Act demand-responsive to inquiries through multiple channels (i.e. in person, telephonic, text, blogs) while working a flexible schedule to meet the needs of consumers.
• Is required to be a part of the orange county crisis response team that response to individuals in crisis; may be requested to modify work schedules to accommodate the needs of Orange County residents in crisis.
• Coordinate a variety of activities that encourage engagement, employment, self-management and personal wellness.
• Provide services through the Home and Community Based Service Waiver as needed.
• Promote stabilization and acclimation in the community, leading to a greater degree of independence and improved quality of life for people with substance abuse disorders.
• Maintain a current and working knowledge of systems issues.
• Engage in individual advocacy by assisting consumers with substance use disorders in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints, accessing services and navigating community supports of their choice.
• Engage in systems advocacy by representing the concerns of consumers with substance abuse disorders through the identification of patterns of problems and complaints and working with program or system administrators to resolve or eliminate these systemic problems.
• Network with other agency providers and community support services to maintain an integrated support system for persons with SUD.
• Facilitate and support the development of an integrated support network for individuals which includes but is not limited to case management, benefits advisement, supported housing, self help, employment and educational services, in addition to other community supports individuals may wish to access.
• Educate individuals, families, and community resources about challenges, options, and resources with regard to persons with disabilities.
• Encourage personal empowerment, self-determination, while promoting independent living skill development.
• Encourage independence; provide assistance in identifying and connecting with supportive services.
• Enter database statistics as required by due date.
• Complete statistical reports for the Program Manager by specified due date.
• Complete all reporting and record keeping as required.
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings and training sessions provided by Independent Living, Inc. and specific to the job responsibilities of the position.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, language and behaviors reflecting such values and the Independent Living philosophy.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and IL and other disability related services.
• Knowledge of local, statewide and national disability related issues and community dynamics.
• Working knowledge of confidentiality requirements related to records pertaining to Mental Health and Chemical Dependency laws.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
• Must have good time management skills and be self-directing, especially if there is any downtime.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services plus two years of peer coaching or advocacy experience, preferred.
• High School diploma/equivalent.
• Must have “lived” experience with substance use recovery either personally or through a family member or friend who has gone through recovery and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed.
• Must complete approved advocacy training programs within the first six months of employment which will be provided.
• Must have OASAS certification or obtain it within one year.
• Must have a working knowledge of the recovery process (including but not limited to 12 step programs, Self Help and other alternative methods).
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of ASL a plus.