Peer Support Specialist (Community-Based) Part Time

LifeWorks ofAustin TXis looking for part-time (20hrs.) Peer Support Specialist to join our community-based Peer Services team! A Peer Support Specialist utilizes their lived experience and training to provide support services and education to individuals via group facilitation individual mentorship community collaboration and the provision of alternative activities. The Peer Support Specialist utilizes a trauma-informed strength-based model of support to foster and promote recovery and wellness with each client served.

This is a part-time non-exempt position. This position has a starting rate of $22.75/hr. paid bi-weekly. Benefits are also included which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical dental and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide client-centered healing-centered peer support services to diverse individuals who may have experienced chronic homelessness systems involvement mental health challenges substance use challenges a history of trauma etc.
• Promote recovery resiliency and accountability to help others initiate or achieve long-term recovery to enhance quality of life health and wellness.
• Meet with individual clients as needed to establish a safe healthy relationship for learning problem-solving and participating in community activities; assists clients in building a network of support; makes referrals and coordinates client services as appropriate.
• Facilitate regular support groups and social activities on site and/or within the community through the implementation of program curricula experiential activities presentations and discussions field trips and/or skill-based activities.
• Participation in outreach opportunities to effectively engage with individuals who may be unfamiliar with LifeWorks services and supports.
• Plan develop and provide recovery-related presentations and outreach on a variety of topics such as harm reduction substance use and disease prevention/intervention health/mental health promotion trauma and recovery community resources relationship-building and coping strategies.
• Advocate for clients within the community as well as internally to ensure that client needs are being recognized represented and addressed.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with agency staff and community contacts such as referral sources recovery community organizations peer-run programs in non-recovery organizations and other service providers.
• Maintain up-to-date online documentation of client services and contacts by frequently entering into agency database. Document client progress toward recovery goals.
• Comply with all requirements outlined by funding sources licensure and accrediting bodies the program and the agency. These requirements may pertain to data paperwork philosophies processes and procedures among other things.
• Additional duties as they relate to recovery support including but not limited to transporting clients in personal vehicles resource navigation and instrumental support.
• Maintain approved non-clinical supervision and continuing education.
• Use crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to assist clients in mental or emotional crisis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a GED or HS Diploma and 2 years of related individual and group peer support experience.
• Requires obtaining state certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS).
• Requires lived experience with 1) trauma and 2) substance use or mental health challenges. Record of maintaining own recovery over the past 2-year period.
• Experience with databases; proficient level experience with Microsoft Office including Word Excel and Outlook.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS
With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness youth aging out of foster care young adults and young parents LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing mental health education and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home a sense of belonging and the support to pursue a life they love.

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home the chance to heal and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving shared accountability and evidence-based solutions we are relentless in achieving real sustainable and measurable results for the clients we serve.

A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.

Required Experience:

IC