Description:

The Peer Support Specialist is an individual with lived experience and is in long term recovery from behavioral health illness and/or substance use disorder. Provides support to others in recovery or working toward recovery. The specialist serves as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to a diverse population of program participants who have an opioid use disorder (or are at risk of an opioid use disorder) and may also have a behavioral health disorder. Actively participates in connecting individuals to treatment and services to meet their basic needs such as housing, food and employment. Provides direct contact, outreach mentoring, systems navigation. Assists in planning sober events, provides outreach to social service agencies and education to the public.

Work is performed at JAMHI facilities as well as in a variety of professional, institutional and community settings. Work schedule will include evening and weekend hours.

Position Duties:

• Functions as a role model to peers, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills.
• Models personal responsibility, self-advocacy and hope by sharing one’s personal recovery story, as appropriate.
• Develops relationships with community groups/agencies in order to help client get services needed.
• Maintains personal and professional boundaries. Communicates and interacts with clients and staff in ways that are socially, ethically and culturally appropriate.
• Assists in the coordination of activities, programs, and resources which directly support the client or family members in achieving wellness and recovery goals. For example, assists client in obtaining benefits, i.e. SSI, Medicare, IDs, driver’s licenses.
• May accompany and/or transport clients to recovery/wellness/basic needs appointments.
• Assists clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. During these sessions the Peer Support Specialist will support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals
• Under direct supervision, completes documentation and other paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, and in accordance with defined standards and funding source requirements.
• Supports the client through challenges arising from everyday activities in person, telephonically or using telehealth.
• Provides recovery education to clients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance
• Informs, supports and advocates for clients and families/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive mental health services.
• Assists in the development and coordination of activities, programs, and resources which directly support consumers or family members/caregivers of consumers in achieving wellness and recovery goals.
• Provides education and advocacy within the community to promote awareness of recovery and peer support services while reducing misconceptions, prejudices and discrimination.
• Exhibits a nonjudgmental approach, effective listening, good eye contact and positive interactions.
• Engages clients in achieving goals through the use of recovery coaching, motivational interviewing, problem-solving techniques.
• Under direct supervision, co-facilitates support activities and groups including group set-up, clean-up, preparation and documentation.
• Helps to plan and implement (including attending) Great Bear Recovery Collective sober activities
• Works closely with JAMHI team of clinicians, case managers and wellness team
• Attends training and meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills
• Organization & Planning: Self-motivated, able to prioritize multiple issues, solid organizational skills, ability to track projects/tasks and follow through as needed.
• Follows through on Commitments: Able to manage time-sensitive projects and meet deadlines
• Proactive: Identifies opportunities for improvements.
• Teamwork: Able to work collaboratively with internal staff and external providers/clients
• Flexibility & Adaptability: Works independently in a changing environment
• Persistence: Able to press on in the midst of challenges or obstacles
• Ability to earn the trust of a diverse range of service users, including diversity of age, gender and gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability and more.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years’ experience in a relevant field preferably with face-to-face engagements with peers.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• A past or present consumer of mental health or substance abuse services.
• Willingness to self-identify as a person in recovery with a history of managing one’s own illness.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office.
• Meet State and Agency requirements for passing a criminal background check and driving record upon hire and as required thereafter.
• Valid Alaska driver’s license or ability to obtain an Alaska driver’s license within 90 days of hire and a clean driving record for the 3 previous years.
• Must be able to obtain First Aid/CPR following hire.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.

NOTE: If the State of Alaska implements a Peer Specialist certification, the JAMHI Peer Specialist is required to obtain that certification to retain employment..

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.02 - $28.44 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 5x8

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Juneau, AK: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience in the behavioral health or medical field?
• Do you have lived experience with behavioral health illness and/or substance use disorder?
• Have you ever been convicted of a crime involving a child or vulnerable adult?
• Have you ever been censured or had your license/certification/registration restricted or revoked?

Work Location: One location

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