Pathways Vermont Peer Support Specialist
It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.
The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency that ends homelessness and provides alternative mental health services. Pathways believes housing is a basic human right and practices housing first – immediate access to housing without preconditions. Client choice, harm reduction, non-coercion, flexibility and person-centered housing plans are core elements of our programs. Pathways offers a great benefits package including dental and health insurance, generous time-off and paid holidays.
The Role: The peer support specialist provides mental health support and services to both our local community members and the homeless population in the area. The peer support specialist will have their own experiences of mental health challenges or homelessness and will provide services from a perspective guided by their own experience. The peer support specialist builds deep authentic, mutual relationships with the people they support.
Employment Status: Full Time (35 hours/week) or Part Time (15-20 hours/week)
Serves: Adults (primarily those aged 18-34)
Supervised by: Community Center Team Lead
Hours Available: 9am – 5pm (with flexibility as needed)
Location: Burlington, VT and other areas in Chittenden county
Responsibilities:
- Provide peer support services to young adults in Chittenden county who are experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, or other exceptional experiences:
- Conduct outreach at local community centers and offer designated meeting times, supports, or groups at various locations
- Schedule one-on-one peer support meetings with individuals
- Support interested parties in attending Pathways peer support groups (hearing voices, anxiety relief, laughter yoga, etc.)
- Engage with people about their lives, offering resource referrals, peer support and peer counseling in both individualized and group settings when appropriate
- Plan and coordinate off-site trips using the Pathways community center van
- Connect with, and serve as a liaison to relevant community partners
- Participate in staff meetings, co-reflection, individual supervision and trainings
- Collection of service data and regular reporting
- Co-facilitate peer support groups
- Engage in street outreach to identify service recipients
- Assist in the development and management of activities and events at PVCC
- Assist in creating and distributing outreach materials such as flyers, posters, social media posts, and other forms of engagement in the community
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Integrity, credibility, and commitment to Pathways’ mission
- Personal experience with mental health challenges, exceptional mental health experiences, or homelessness and a willingness and ability to connect with others from a peer perspective
- Potential flexibility in hours as determined by program needs assessment
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written as well as verbal)
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Basic telephone/computer/internet/social media skills, familiarity with google platform
- Trained in Intentional Peer Support (or commitment to be trained within 3 months of hiring)
- Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documentation
- Commitment to the values of Intentional Peer Support
- Ability to work evening or weekend hours a plus
- Working vehicle, valid license, adequate insurance and willingness to transport others in community center van
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
- During COVID-19, Pathways Vermont is supporting staff in working from home when possible:
- Ability to work from home independently in a confidential space with limited distractions, with reliable internet and phone reception
OR
- Ability to work in an office setting either with others (using COVID precautions) and/or independently. Reliable transportation to and from your work site
- During COVID-19, if you are working from home – you will arrange for an appropriate work from home space/set up, however the majority of this position will be in-person work.
- Ability to ascend and descend stairs occasionally required
- Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery
- Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken English and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication
- Occasional ability to lift and carry 50 pounds to assist with tasks at Community Center
- Frequent exposure to outside environmental conditions (all seasons) in community outreach and visits
- Exposure to high levels of noise and persons experiencing distress
- Frequent utilization of close visual acuity and reading from a computer screen, must be able to read information captured in type and free hand form.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Long Term Disability/Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)
- All-Staff days off
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Longevity Recognition Rewards
Compensation:
- $15 – $16.50
- Full time employee or Part time employee
If you are interested please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
