Pride Health is hiring Peer Specialists to work with one of our non-profit clients in Brooklyn. This is a Contract assignment (starts at 13 weeks) with the possibility of conversion to a Permanent role. This position is based in a Crisis Respite Center and candidates should have strong writing skills and experience working in the mental health field. The ideal candidate has a CPS or CRPA certification or is obtaining certification. Please include an updated copy of your resume upon application.

Role: Peer Specialist

Location: 2862 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11207 (SCSC - Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center)

Overview: The Peer Specialist utilizes experience as a recipient of behavioral health services with a willingness to share personal/practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit program enrollees.

Duties:

· Facilitate engagement with teams by forging strong connections with participants and families.

· Conduct outreach activities designed to promote community awareness of available services, encourage help-seeking, and bridge gaps between team members and participants when they are ambivalent about treatment.

· Develop authentic, meaningful relationships with individuals and families through empathy, sharing experiences, listening, and collaborating with genuine interest.

· Discuss multiple frameworks for understanding life experiences such as psychosis.

· Listen to, understand, and make space for complex personal stories of recovery and resilience.

· Advocate with and for participants on the team and in larger community.

· Collaborate with participants to clarify personal visions and develop wellness toolkit.

· Support participants in strengthening self-awareness, building life skills, and connecting to resources and community outside of the team.

· Promote a youth-friendly approach and use recovery-oriented language to positively influence team culture.

· Operate from the belief in human potential to grow.

· Maintain open and frequent communication with the team, reporting safety and other concerns as necessary.

· Document notes from visits with participants.

Requirements:

· Peer Certification required (CPS, CRPA, Provisional certification).

· Minimum High School Diploma/GED required.

· Ability to utilize MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

· Experience working in behavioral/mental health field required.

· Experience with self-help activities, peer support, or peer advocacy programs required.

· Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

· Ability to document and translate participant needs with trauma-informed and culturally competent lens.

· Lived experience with mental health challenges preferred, not required.

· Ability to relate well with young people experiencing mental health challenges.

· Understanding of the community & available community resources.

· Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Pay: $22.00 – 23.00/hour

Schedule: 40 hours per week, 8-hour shifts (schedule discussed during interview)

*Contract starts at 13 weeks, high potential for extension/permanent conversion.