JOB OVERVIEW

JOB TITLE: CORE Peer Specialist: Fee for Service (FFS)

DEPARTMENT: Independent Living of the Niagara County (ILNC)

LOCATION: Niagara Falls, N.Y.

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Director, ILNC

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

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

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide Peer Counseling to recipients of behavioral health services and their family members to identify life goals, objectives and values using personal and/or professional background.
    
2. Support the development of social and interpersonal skills needed to sustain independent community living with a focus on employment or educational goals.
    
3. Provide Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), Family Support and Training (FST) and Empowerment Service-Peer Support to eligible adult Medicaid beneficiaries.
    
4. 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.
    
5. Assist individuals in advocating for themselves within their services and communities.
    
6. Provide companionship and modeling of recovery lifestyles, including participation in recovery activities.
    
7. Enhance social skills such as engagement, conversation, and listening skills and build on support networks.
    
8. Increase community awareness through identification and pursuit of interests, resources, and natural supports.
    
9. Work with individuals in developing Independent Living Plans, creating Person-Centered Plans and Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP).
    
10. Assist individuals with behavioral health issues complete a Quality-of-Life Self-Assessment.
     
11. Educate and assist individuals with developing Psychiatric Advance Directives (PAD’s) when necessary.
     
12. Coordinate and conduct independent living evaluations for individuals with disabilities.
     
13. Assist in developing or build upon independent living skills to support individuals to live in the community in a healthy manner.
     
14. Provide advocacy when dealing with medical or mental health professionals, housing, benefit advisement, peer support, information and referral and mobility training.
     
15. Accurately document consumer services and required paperwork in Western New York Independent Living, Inc’s (WNYIL’ s) Electronic Consumer Record ECR) within two (2) working days of the date of service.
     
16. Attend Agency’s in-service training and staff meetings, and any other Agency-related activities as required.
     
17. Participate in maintaining a neat, clean, and safe work environment.
     
18. 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 Service field

   OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology or related Human Service field

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

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE (if required)

• Must hold the Provisional or Full Certification as a Peer Specialist 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 or equivalent 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 Niagara County are encouraged to apply.
   
• Must have an 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.

HOURS / SHIFTS: Schedule discussed with supervisor.

CLASSIFICATION: Part-time, hourly, fee for service, professional staff.
Range: $25.00 per hour

BENEFITS: PTO/NYS Paid Sick Leave
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: April 4, 2024

Cover letter and resume required to:

Tina Brown, CHRCO
WNY Independent Living, Inc.
3108 Main St.
Buffalo, N.Y. 14214
employment@wnyil.org