Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Peer Specialist

JOB OVERVIEW

JOB TITLE:  Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Peer Specialist

DEPARTMENT:  Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR)

LOCATION:  Batavia, NY

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:  Director, ILGR

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Provide peer support for individuals with Psychiatric (Mental Health) and other disabilities in the community. Assist individuals with disabilities in maximizing their community participation.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Provide Peer Counseling to individuals with disabilities, and their family members, for the purpose of identifying lift goals, objectives and values utilizing personal and/or professional background.
     
  2. Inform individuals about various programs that are available to them and assist them in securing and/or maintaining benefits, such as vocational rehabilitation, social services, benefits, etc.
     
  3. Assist individuals in advocating for themselves within their services and communities.
     
  4. Provide companionship and modeling of recovery lifestyles, including participation in recovery activities.
     
  5. Assist individuals in selecting and utilizing the things that bring a sense of passion, purpose and meaning into their lives. Provide coaching as they identify barriers to engaging in these activities.
     
  6. Coordinate and conduct independent living evaluations for individuals with disabilities.
     
  7. Assist individuals in completion of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and Quality of Life Self-Assessment.
     
  8. Accurately document consumer services and required paperwork in Western New York Independent Living’s (WNYIL’s) Electronic Consumer Record (ECR) within two (2) business days of the date of service.
     
  9. Participate in maintaining a neat, clean and safe work environment.
     
  10. Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

High school diploma or equivalent

OR

Associate degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology or related Human Services field.

OR

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology or related Human Services field.

Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE (if required)

  • Within the first six (6) months the candidate must enroll and complete the Peer Specialist certification through Academy of Peer Services (APS).
     
  • Must have received New York State Care Coordination Person-Centered Planning training.
     
  • Applicant must be a current or former consumer of mental health services and willing to share personal, lived experience with mental health challenges.

High school diploma requires four (4) years’ related work or volunteer experience with people with mental illness.

Associate degree requires two (2) years’ related work or volunteer experience with people with mental illness.

Bachelor’s degree requires one (1) year work or volunteer experience with people with mental illness.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Candidate must have reliable transportation and automobile insurance, or the ability to utilize public transportation to commute to sites in all the counties WNYIL, Inc. operates.
     
  • Residents of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties are encouraged to apply.
     
  • Must have intermediate level of knowledge of computers including the use of Excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing and networks.
     
  • Perform in a professional, conscientious, and efficient manner for the purpose of ensuring a better quality of life for persons with disabilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Office / Community

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:  Sitting for extended periods of time.
Occasional lifting of not more than 15 pounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:  Sitting for extended periods of time.
Occasional lifting of not more than 15 pounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:  Sitting for extended periods of time.
Occasional lifting of not more than 15 pounds.

BENEFITS:  Vision, dental, life, supplemental insurances available.
PTO and paid holiday package.
403(b) retirement with Agency match.
Employee Assistance Program

OTHER:  Western New York Independent Living, Inc. values our employee safety and follows all recommended NYS required Infectious Disease Prevention Protocols.
Western New York Independent Living, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for people with disabilities.
Western New York Independent Living, Inc. is a scent-free agency.

POSTING INFORMATION

Closing Date:  January 21, 2022

Cover Letter and Resume Required to:

Tina Brown, CHRCO
WNY Independent Living, Inc.
3108 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14214
Employment@wnyil.org