Compeer / Peer Advocate

Overview

MHA in Ulster seeks a full-time (35 hours per week) Compeer / Peer Advocate. This position has a dual caseload with half the time working as a Compeer Coordinator and half the time as a Peer Advocate under CORE services.

The Compeer Coordinator will recruit, retain, train and match community volunteers with mental-health clients. The Coordinator’s focus is to promote good mental health among adults, older adults, and veterans through supportive volunteer-based friendships. The Compeer Coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the mentoring portion of the volunteer-based program to ensure adherence to Compeer’s policies and procedures.  The coordinator also maintains monthly statistical record necessary for quarterly reporting, quality assurance, evaluation, and assessment. The coordinator will assist in the development of program materials, narratives, and grant proposals as funding requirements.

The Peer Advocate provides non-clinical, peer-delivered services with focus on rehabilitation, recovery, and resilience under the CORE Empowerment Services model.

Schedule is Monday-Friday 9:30am – 5 pm.

The pay rate for this position is $20.06 hourly.

Responsibilities Include

• Communication/linkage with referring mental health professionals and education of community through trainings as needed.
• Development of program narratives and grant proposals as funding requires.
• Participate in planning, developments, and implementation of yearly program objectives, administrative policy and procedure for volunteers, consumers, and therapists, and new program development.
• Develop overall MHA Compeer Brochures, forms and supplies, quarterly newsletter and other written material as needed, revising and keeping all marketing materials up-to-date.
• Responsible for public speaking, workshop presentations and written material for program publicity.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders – including mental health professionals, parents/caregivers, volunteers, program participants and school professionals.
• Overall coordination of all facets or program including but not limited to; Recruiting, interviewing, screening, onboarding, training, matching, and monitoring up to 20 volunteers.
• Maintain access to, and regular use of the Compeer Affiliate portal, and volunteermatch.com
• Maintain monthly statistical records. Program procedures/statistical measures necessary for quality assurance, evaluation, and assessment.
• Offer CORE Peer Support as non-clinical, peer-delivered services with focus on rehabilitation, recovery, and resilience.
• Promote skills for coping with and managing behavioral health symptoms while facilitating the use of natural supports and community resources.
• Other duties and Wellness Team tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED and 3 years’ experience in human services OR
  Associate degree in a Human Services field with 1-3 years’ experience in human services OR
  Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services field OR Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
• Certification as a Certified Peer Specialist or OASAS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and youth behavior, combined with a passion for advocacy and helping to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
• Comfortable matching volunteers and youth program participants across many types of locations throughout Ulster County: client homes, various community locations, and in a virtual setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member and to handle crisis situations.
• A clean, valid NYS driver’s license that will meet and maintain a satisfactory driving record consistent with agency and insurance standards and have been driving for at least 6 years.
• Proficient knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office is required.

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MHA in Ulster is proud to offer the following benefits to our full-time employees:

• Paid Vacation / Sick / and Flex Days
• Medical / Dental / Vision / Life Insurance
• Retirement 403(b) Plan
• Profit Sharing
• Supplemental Benefits such as Telemedicine
• And More!