Peer Support Specialist – Non-Certified

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Peer Specialist (PS) is an individual who self-identifies as having direct personal experience
living with mental illness and/or substance use and/or personal lived experience caregiving for
children with mental health conditions. The PS skillfully uses personal lived experience to
provide support to consumers and/or guardians. This position is required to obtain a certified
peer specialist certification within one year of employment to include Mental Health Peer
Specialist (MHPS), Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS), and/or Certified Family Partner
(CFP).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without
reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative
of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management
from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.
• Assist consumers and/or families navigate mental health and recovery systems by
presenting options and empowering choice in the recovery process.
• Assists with data collection and surveys.
• Assists consumers to court, doctor appointments, intake appointments and other service
appointments as needed.
• Conducts home, clinic, and community face-to-face sessions.
• Provides both group and one-on-one services.
• Ensures clinical documentation is submitted in accordance with CHCS’s standards and
meets all designated requirements.
• Shares lived experience as a tool to motivate recovery.
• Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
• High School diploma or GED equivalency is required.
• One (1) year of lived experience with mental illness, and/or substance use, and/or parenting
a child with mental health needs.
• One (1) year of experience working on recovery and able to manage own wellness.
• Transparency in disclosure of personal experience for the purpose of educating, role
modeling, and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery.
• Family Partner – Has at least one year of experience navigating a child service system (e.g.
mental health, juvenile justice, social security, or special education) as a parent or LAR.
• TCOOMMI – Must have successfully completed community supervision within the last ten
(10) years.
Licenses or Certifications
• To be obtained within one year of hire:
o Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) supports those working in Recovery support
within the field of mental health and/or co-occurring disorders and/or,
o Certified Family Partner (CFP) support caregivers of children receiving mental health
services and/or,
o Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) supports those working in Recovery Support
Peer within the field of chemical dependency, mental health and/or co-occurring
disorders.
Other Requirements
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage, be able to travel
as needed, and be able to meet on a consistent basis the driving record requirements of the
Company’s auto insurance carrier if you drive your vehicle during company business.
• Must maintain required credentials and mandatory training requirements to ensure
compliance with all State regulations and CHCS policies.
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements to complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
(NCI) and CPR training including lifting up to 12 lbs. and supporting up to 55 lbs.; bending,
stooping and getting on and off the floor without assistance.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) is a proven safe and harm-free method of behavior
modification. All consumer-facing employees of CHCS must take NCI courses facilitated by
the CHCS Training team within the first 45 days of employment.
• NCI is intended to support human service professionals in giving aggressive, disruptive, or
out-of-control people the best care and welfare possible, even in the most violent situation.
• NCI training provides staff with the skills to safely recognize and respond to everyday crisis
situations that may involve more challenging behaviors. It focuses on prevention and offers
proven strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile or violent behavior at the earliest
possible stage
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Language Proficiency Pay (LPP) payments are
subject to successful testing, certification by CHCS Payroll, and availability of funding.
Funding may be renewed in subsequent fiscal years but is not guaranteed.1 year
experience working in social support services.
• Additional peer certification such as Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) or Re-Entry
Peer Specialist (JI-RPS).
• At least one (1) year of experience in social support services.
SUPERVISION
• Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
• Community resources.
• Individual Disability Education Act.
• Child services available.
• Applicable software applications.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Case management.
• Recovery techniques.
Skilled in:
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI).
• Organization and time management.
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of different nature.
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, percentages, and ratios.
Ability to:
• Comply with required contractual and center policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate and understand, both written and verbal language.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Maintain accurate and complete records.
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Provide advocacy with a non-judgmental approach to working with families