Peer Support Specialist
Department: Whole Hearts, Minds and Bodies
Reports to: Whole Hearts, Minds and Bodies: Peer Program Coordinator, Brody Dwyer & Program Director, Crystal Cunning
Hours: Variable as assigned by direct report
Description/Purpose
The Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is a vital member of Gateway Mountain Center, providing peer support services to individuals facing mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. As a PSS, you will utilize your lived experience and recovery journey to inspire and support others on their path to wellness. You will work collaboratively with clients, their families, and the clinical team to promote empowerment, self-advocacy, and recovery. Your role will involve providing emotional support, sharing coping strategies, and assisting individuals in accessing appropriate resources and services, and utilizing nature as a healing tool.
Peers are employed on an as needed basis to provide support services to Tahoe area youth. Generally, peers meet with clients as assigned to offer one-on-one and group support utilizing your lived experience, California State licensure, our 4Roots Method and leading edge humanistic, trauma-informed modalities.
Peer Support Specialists provide a consistent, caring, authentic relationship with the youth by actively listening to their needs and concerns and skillful self disclosure of your own lived experience and personal recovery to inspire hope and facilitate connections.
Skills & Qualifications:
Required:
Must be 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Must self identify as having lived or familial experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges and personal recovery.
Certification credential issued by a recognized certification body. (Required within the first 6 months of employment with GMC)
Advanced/In Person CPR and Wilderness First Aid Training (WFA may be completed within 6 mos. of employment).
Excellent people skills, especially with children.
Clean Record: LiveScan/DMV
Knowledge and understanding of recovery-oriented principles and practices.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and ethical standards.
Assist individuals in identifying strengths, resources and coping strategies to enhance their recovery journey.
Covid Vaccination (including required booster(s) or Waiver with weekly negative test submissions as required per county recommendations.
Must be willing to conduct and pass live scan and DOJ background checks.
Must have a negative TB screening.
Individualized Recovery Planning:
Collaborate with clients to develop personalized recovery plans, setting achievable goals and objectives.
Assist individuals in identifying strengths, resources and coping strategies to enhance their recovery journey.
Help clients navigate personal barriers and or challenges by providing guidance and practical support.
Documentation and Reporting:
Session documentation which requires writing notes for each session written in a timely manner utilizing our Electronic Health Record system.
Completing All assessment protocols in a timely manner as assigned.
Adhere and comply with all HIPAA confidentiality and privacy guidelines.Twice a month meetings with a clinical supervisor.
Collect, track and report client data, outcomes and measures.
Professional Development:
Regularly and consistently meeting with your direct report supervisor as assigned.
Twice a month meetings with a clinical supervisor.
Once a month meetings with the case manager.
Complete required annual CEUs to maintain CA State certification. Gateway Mountain Center offers periodic on site development opportunities.
Monthly in person team meetings to support development and resource sharing with the intent of improving Mentor/Mentee relationships,effectiveness and continually improving outcomes.
Other Qualifications Preferred:
Bilingual/ Bicultural (highly preferred).
Experience in outdoor activities (i.e. skiing, climbing, hiking, mountain biking)
An interest in or knowledge of Natural History/Philosophy
Therapeutic training or Licensing. (LCSW/LMFT)
Possess or be willing to become familiar with community resources, support services, and treatment options related to mental health and substance use.
Outdoor leadership experience.
Please note that the specific responsibilities and qualifications may vary, and assistance may be offered to support the applicant in obtaining Certified Peer Support Specialist Certification, but it is not a guarantee or condition of employment. Any costs incurred outside an applicant's express offer are that of the applicant themselves.
Pay:
Starting rate between $20 to $29 per hour depending on experience and education.
Additional add on compensation available for:
Bilingual candidate.
Completed licensure/certifications (including CPSS, MBSAT, Harm Reduction or similar SUD support certificates, once completed and employed with GMC under our current P&P guidelines)
100% reimbursement for assigned Gateway training(s).
50% reimbursement for any Director approved non-Gateway training fees completed.
Transportation reimbursement at the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate.
Additional CPSS Paid Training:
Gateway Mountain Center has obtained funding to support you in obtaining your CPSS Certification. As an additional benefit to you, GMC could potentially provide you with tools, support and PAID training for the required 80 study hours and financial support for costs associated with certification tests as required by the state. Perspective employees will be required to complete a minimum of (2) two group service sessions (scheduled on an as needed basis), support the staffing of the 4Roots YWC (staffing hours/dates and times are all offered on an as needed basis and will be assigned upon acceptance of employment), agree to meet weekly with your Peer Coordinator, and attend all staff meetings as conditions to receiving your training benefits. Any employee that does not fulfill this obligation may be required to repay fees associated with this training benefit. Please inform your hiring representative if you do not wish to participate in this paid training program. Lack of participation in this program does not recuse applicants of the requirement to have PSS training and certification completed within the first 6 months of employment. Opting out of this offer also forfeits any paid training time associated with the program. Any training done outside of this express benefit would be at the full cost of prospective applicants.