Community Support Specialist

Are you compassionate and caring? Are you looking for a rewarding career in Mental Health & Human Services? Apply today to join an amazing team, dedicated to advocating the health & well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

MHA Columbia Greene is seeking to fill multiple positions of Community Support Specialists. These are 2 full time positions, averaging 40 hours per week including some evenings and weekends, at a rate of $19.50 per hour. Upon successful completion of training to obtain PSR (Psychosocial Rehabilitation) provisional certification, the rate of pay will increase to $21.00 per hour. The primary worksite is in Columbia County NY.

**This position offers some flexibility to work remotely based on program needs and supervisor approval**

This position supports the CORE (Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment) services are person-centered, recovery-oriented, mobile behavioral health supports intended to build skills and self-efficacy that promote and facilitate community participation and independence. 

Community Oriented Recovery Empowerment Services (CORE) Peer Support Specialists work with individuals with mental health or substance use conditions offering peer delivered services that promote recovery and self-advocacy, focusing on helping individuals develop skills and abilities, access resources, and build networks to support their recovery goals, live independently and participate in community life. As a Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) Services Peer Specialist, you will provide person-centered, recovery-oriented support to individuals with behavioral health issues, helping them develop skills, access resources, and achieve their goals in the community.

Services that can be provided:

Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)- to provide this service you need to have a High School Diploma or equivalency and 1-3 years of relevant experience or must have a BA/BS Degree.

•  Assists individuals in improving their functional abilities to the greatest degree possible in settings where they live, work, learn, and socialize.
•  Rehabilitation counseling, skill building, and psychoeducational interventions.

Core Responsibilities:

• Person-Centered Support: Work collaboratively with individuals to identify their strengths, goals, and needs, and develop individualized plans to support their recovery journey.
• Skill Development: Assist individuals in developing social, interpersonal, and daily living skills to enhance their ability to live independently and participate in the community.
• Advocacy and Empowerment: Advocate for individuals' rights and needs, promoting self-advocacy and empowerment to help them navigate the system and achieve their goals.
• Resource Navigation: Help individuals access and utilize community resources, including housing, employment, education, and healthcare services.
• Crisis Support: Provide support during times of crisis, helping individuals access appropriate resources and develop coping strategies.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely records of services provided, progress made, and any challenges encountered.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other members of the treatment team, including clinicians, case managers, and family members, to ensure a coordinated approach to care.
• Role Modeling: Serve as a role model for recovery, demonstrating positive coping skills, self-care practices, and a commitment to personal growth.
• Community Engagement: Participate in community activities and events to promote recovery and reduce stigma and meet with clients in their home/community to provide support.
• Training and Education: Provide education and training to individuals and families on topics related to mental health, substance use, and recovery.
• Supervision: Participate in regular supervision to ensure quality of service and professional development.

The ideal candidate will have a Peer Support Specialist Certification and be a current or former recipient of mental health services, comfortable in using their lived experience to provide support and advocacy.

Provisional Certification (50 hours) allows individuals to provide peer support while the remaining hours are completed towards standard certification.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and 1-3 years' worth of relevant experience.
• Individuals are required to obtain a PSR Provisional Certification within 3 to 6 months.
• During the first 60 days you will be required to complete all Essential Knowledge trainings as well as CORE Application of Principles training. Other training courses will be assigned as well.
• Be a self-starter who works independently in the community and maintains professional relationships with staff, providers, and recipients.
• Must be reliable and have excellent verbal, written, communication, electronic and interpersonal skills.
• Should be proficient in computer skills with the aptitude to learn additional software and data entry programs. Effective and efficient documentation skills are a must.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of urban, suburban and rural cultures and with community members from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Must be able to work regularly outside the office and in the field to engage with clients.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with Greene County and knowledge of managed care is a plus.

Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

All offers are contingent on the candidate’s ability to obtain a Statewide Central Registry and Fingerprint clearance and must have a valid NYS Driver’s License and a clean MVR.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate in our employment practices due to an applicant's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (including transgender status), predisposing genetic characteristics/genetic information or carrier status, ancestry, ethnic group identification, ethnic background, traits historically associated with race, reproductive health decision making, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. At the Mental Health Association, we believe a diverse and inclusive workforce makes the best workforce.

Benefits

Full Time Benefits include Medical, Dental, Life Benefit. Pension (employer contribution) plus Voluntary Vision, Life, AFLAC, Telemedicine (Concierge Medical), Voluntary 401K plans, EAP, generous sick, vacation, personal time, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and much more. Plus, you get to be part of a dynamic, diverse, and supportive behavioral health organization whose mission is to "Provide education and advocacy, and to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities".