Peer Support Specialist

Description

**This position requires the employee to have a history of mental health and/or substance abuse. It will also require 2 days worked in Wapello and 3 days worked in Fort Madison**

This role operates in our Drop-In Center, defined as a community service agency that offers a safe, supportive environment for people experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, or other disadvantages. 

Peer Support Specialists support the mission of the organization – empowering people to reach individual achievement across the spectrum of life. If you’re passionate about empowering people to reach their goals and help them strive for more, we want you to join our team. As an integral part of the overall Drop-In Center team, you will assist and support community members with mental health issues.

What Winning Looks Like:

While it’s not a competition, we do recognize that each person wants to ‘win’ at life; and you’re a central part of someone else’s wins as well as your own! In this role, you’ll be responsible to: 

• Collaborate with community members in understanding and accessing services. This may include:
• Meet and offer one-on-one support and counseling. 
• Provide peer support and education.
• Maintain documentation of contacts and activities.
• Assist with goals and objectives.
• Assist in developing plans, coping methods, and rehabilitation strategies.
• Assist in building social skills.
• Assist with employment goals and/or supported employment.
• Provide safe environments and instruction to individuals served regarding the practices that will help them reach their goals.
• Be an advocate for individuals receiving services to have as much control over their own lives as possible. All individuals should be treated with respect and should feel empowered to live their life as independently as physically possible. 

Know We’re For You:

We know finding the right opportunity can be tricky – that’s why Imagine is focused on making sure your time is well spent. We take pride in the benefits we offer our employees. As an employee, you’ll have access to a variety of benefits that are sure to sweeten the deal. Depending on your full-time or part-time status, you’ll have access to: 

• Competitive Wages: The base pay is $15/hour. With education and experience, you could start out making more than that.
• Flexible Scheduling: We’re a 24/7 service provider, so we have all sorts of opportunities that will fit your schedule. 
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): We all deserve a break now and then – don’t feel bad about taking time for you. 
• 401k Retirement Plan: Secure your future with a cushioned fund that will allow you to live your best life. 
• Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Whether its medical, dental, vision, or life insurance – we’ve got you covered. 
• Pre-Paid Legal Services: Be prepared for the things you just can’t be prepared for on your own.
• Discounted Costco or Sam’s Club Memberships: What can we say? We know a great deal when we see one. 
• Advancement Opportunities: We believe in your future, which is why we have a specifically designed leadership development opportunity purposed to launch your career. 
• Employee Assistance Program: We’re there for you through all life’s ups and downs. 

Requirements

Functional Experiences, Skills, & Requirements:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and professional experiences:

• Mission-oriented: We’re on a mission to empower people to reach individual achievement across the spectrum of life. We know you are, too.
• An Attitude of Leaning: The truth is, the field of caregiving is always changing and requires adaptability. We need people on our team who are always ready to learn new ways of doing things, helping people, and changing lives. 
• Ability to Communicate Well: We’re looking for people with strong communication abilities so we can rely on you to communicate effectively to the rest of the team and the people we serve. 
• Confidence: We’re looking for people who know how to balance being bold and being humble. We’re looking for team members who are self-aware enough to know when to stand up as an advocate for others and when it’s time to follow the leader.
• 18 Years of Age: This team requires employees to be at least eighteen years of age.
• Driver’s License: You’ll be responsible for transportation at times, so we need to trust your ability to be safe behind the wheel.
• Reliable Transportation: You may be required to provide proof that your automobile insurance covers $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 liability coverage – don’t worry, we can answer any questions you might have about this.
• Educational Requirement: Minimum Education Requirement of High School Diploma/GED equivalent. 
• Certification: Peer Support Specialist certification or willing to obtain. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• May require lifting at times, up to 35 pounds. Lifting more than 35 pounds requires the use of a two-person lift, mechanical lift, or assistive equipment.
• May require prolonged sitting and working at a computer for up to eight hours.
• May require frequent bending, stooping, and stretching.
• May require prolonged standing for up to eight hours.
• Must wear hearing and eye protection in required areas.
• Must have ability to see objects/persons at a distance.
• Must have ability to see close work such as typed or handwritten material.
• Must have ability to hear conversations in a quiet and a noisy environment.
• Must have ability to determine where a sound is coming from.
• Must have ability to hear differences among bells, buzzers, beeps, horns, etc.
• Must have ability to communicate through speech.
• Must have ability to drive and transport for service provision as needed.
• Must remain awake during working hours, where applicable.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Further, this job description does not imply a contract between employees and Imagine the Possibilities, Inc.

Imagine the Possibilities is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, or any other protected status.