Peer Support Coordinator

TASK feeds those who are hungry in the Trenton area and offers programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life of its patrons.

We are excited to announce an opportunity for a committed and passionate individual to join our team as a Peer Support Coordinator. TASK offers a generous benefits & PTO package including paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; vacation, sick and personal leave; 401K and employee assistance program.

Position Summary:
The Peer Support Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing peer-led support services to assist individuals using TASK services in navigating mental health, substance use, and community resources. Utilizing lived experience and formal peer support training, this role will serve as a bridge to connect clients to resources, provide group facilitation, advocate for client needs, and empower individuals in their recovery journey. This is a grant-funded, full-time position, contingent upon ongoing funding.

Responsibilities:
Peer Support Operations:

Offer emotional support and build trust with clients through empathy and mutual respect.

Assist individuals with system navigation by linking them to TASK-based and community resources, focusing on non-clinical support.

Facilitate peer-led groups utilizing recovery-focused frameworks, like WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), that emphasize client empowerment and self-determination.

Model recovery by sharing lived experiences in a way that aligns with recovery principles, fostering hope and resilience.

Maintain a non-clinical role, refraining from performing tasks related to clinical assessments or treatment.

Community Engagement and Advocacy:

Work collaboratively with TASK’s program staff to support the creation of a TASK-Based Mental Health Support Community, designed to address unique mental health challenges faced by individuals experiencing food insecurity and other social determinants of health.

Promote and ensure cultural humility, actively engaging with diverse populations, including Spanish- and Haitian-Creole-speaking individuals, and tailoring approaches to address language and cultural barriers.

Act as an advocate for clients, supporting them in voicing their needs and preferences.

Documentation and Program Reporting:

Track participation, goal achievement, and engagement levels in Apricot, TASK’s data tracking system, including recording the number of interactions, group attendance, and support goals achieved.

Gather participant feedback to assess program impact and adapt services as needed.

Professional Development and Compliance:
Complete New Jersey Peer Support Credentialing, maintaining requirements for recertification, continuing education, and adherence to the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Support.

Engage in ongoing training on trauma-informed care, ethics, and cultural competency to enhance service delivery and personal development.

Collaborate with TASK staff, including clinical and non-clinical teams, to reinforce a clear understanding of peer support roles and to prevent peer drift.

Necessary Skills and Abilities:

Strong interpersonal, communication, and listening skills with a compassionate and non-judgmental approach.

Knowledge of recovery-oriented principles and familiarity with community resources in mental health, substance use, housing, and related fields.

Ability to set appropriate boundaries in a peer support environment, ensuring confidentiality and a supportive atmosphere.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with data entry in Apricot or similar tracking systems.

Spanish fluency a plus.

Required Credentials:

High school diploma or GED required; completion of a New Jersey Peer Credential (CRSP or CPRS) preferred.

Demonstrated lived experience in mental health recovery.

Experience leading peer support groups and collaborating in interdisciplinary settings preferred.

Schedule:
Full-time, grant-funded position (subject to renewal based on funding), with flexibility to attend occasional community events outside standard hours.

TASK is committed to modeling what it means to be an equitable nonprofit organization focused on addressing hunger and alleviating the impacts of poverty in the Trenton area. TASK is dedicated to promoting racially equitable practices in all its work and to fostering diversity of its staff, leadership, and board. These are important steps in a longer journey as TASK transforms itself to promote racial equity. As an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.