Peer Support Specialist

Employee Classification: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Department: Residential or Outpatient

Total hours required per week: 40

General Purpose

The Peer Specialist provides hope and encouragement to participants in the various Meta House Programs. The Peer Specialist will act as a peer mentor and model to women in recovery to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery.

Essential Functions of the Job

•  Assist Meta House clients to make healthy decisions that directly affect their own lives, build relationships based on respect and dignity, encourage individuals to take responsibility for themselves and others, assure clients that they will be treated with respect and dignity and foster the understanding that individuals/families are valued and do have skills and strengths
•  Model/mentor recovery process and demonstrate coping skills
•  Accompany clients to appropriate community appointments and advocate as needed
• Facilitate and assist with groups and activities.
• Communication with coworkers and collaborative staff via phone and email
• Work closely with direct supervisor to ensure coverage of all services, including cofacilitation of group curriculum and individual client sessions as assigned and coverage for colleagues’ PTO
• Uphold, understand, and review all policies, procedures as outlined by Employee Handbook
• Engage in, attend, and complete all required supervision, staff meetings, training, in service, and health regulations deemed necessary by policies and regulations
• Perform all required record keeping and paperwork related to treatment and work at Meta House
•  Assist with the safe, timely, and organized transportation of clients
•  Assist with other duties to support general program operations and occasional special programs

Marginal Functions of the Job

• Shopping assistance and community errands, as needed
•  Participate in community resource meetings as assigned
• Participate in agency-wide committees and activities.
• Other duties as may be periodically or permanently assigned

Qualifications and Requirements

• Self-identified person in recovery from a substance use disorder for at least two years
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Driver’s license, safe driving record, willing to drive agency vehicles and insurable under Meta House’s insurance policy to drive agency vehicles.
• Certified Peer Specialist or must obtain Peer Specialist certification within one year of hire and maintain certification
• Other Skills Required
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to work and communicate within a team-oriented workplace
• Knowledge of community resources
• Able to work cooperatively with other agencies
• Able to work with a culturally diverse client population; to understand and respect family dynamics from many cultural viewpoints
• Flexibility, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills
• Computer skills including proficiency in Word, Excel, and other applications
• Good organizational and time management skills

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• All Meta House staff are required to provide proof of vaccination for MMR, Varicella, and annual flu shot.
• Adherence to a tobacco-free (including vape/e-cigarette) work environment.

Able to:

• Tolerate occasional hot or cold environments.
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time including alternating sitting or standing at will.
• Lift and up to 25 pounds on a regular basis and 40 pounds on occasion.
• Ascend and descend stairs using feet and legs.
• Bend, stoop, twist, squat, and kneel to perform essential functions.
• Reach overhead, and at or below shoulder level.
• Read and enter text or data into a computer or other system.
• Seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands.
• Touch, pick, punch or otherwise working with fingers.
• Hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds to communicate with clients and/or colleagues.
• Express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information to clients or the public and convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• See clearly at approximately 20 inches or less including use of computers or tablet.
• Visually identify clients and others for reasons including security, presence in the building, and medication dispensing.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license required operate agency vehicles for work related duties, including 15-passenger van
• Access and use one’s personal vehicle for work duties, including transportation of clients, preferred