Mental Health Peer Support Specialist

For more information about the jobs listed below or our application process, please contact our Human Resource Recruiters at  and ask for Jessica Constantino ext. 2209 or Brenda Soto ext. 2131

Description

At First Step House
, "We help people build lives of meaning, purpose, and recovery," and we are dedicated to this mission.

We are hiring for a full time Peer Support Counselor in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Mental Health Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of targeted services with Central City Apartment residents, all within the scope of his or her job. These services range from general support to crisis intervention and de-escalation practices. The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for providing the highest possible care to every resident served. This role can be complex as support staff must navigate between varying interests.

For example, while resident advocacy and rapport must be priorities, consideration must be given to the treatment implications of interventions prescribed by clinical staff. This role requires strong collaborative skills, as Peer Support Specialists work with within a multidisciplinary team. The Peer Support Specialist assists the CHARTER Program Manager and Housing Support Manager in providing the highest care to all residents and outpatient program participants.

The overall goals of this position are to (a) provide high-quality care for residents, (b) provide a high level of customer service for funders, clients, and other stake holders, (c) provide support for the clinical and housing support staff, and (d) work to increase resident retention at Central City Apartments.

Salary: $44,044.08 per year

Our full-time benefits include:

• Robust paid time off program with enhanced benefits as you grow with us
• 15 paid holidays annually, including your birthday
• 401(k) employer matching
• Opportunity for annual merit increase and annual bonus

Education & Experience:

• A high school diploma or Associates Degree and an active license in the State of Utah as a social service worker, is preferred.
• Certification as a Mental Health Peer Support Specialist is required.
• Experience in both substance abuse and mental health treatment field is preferred

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Assists Housing Support Staff in managing the milieu during weekend and evening hours, including mental health and behavior management, resident de-escalation, on-call support, and assistance in emergency medical situations.
• Provides support to clinical staff, in being familiar with the core modalities (MI, Harm Reduction, Client-Centered, ) that are used within CHARTER Supportive Services.
• Utilizes other software programs as needed (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel).
• Maintains organizational expectations for clinical productivity.
• Attends all relevant employee training classes and clinical staff meetings.
• Collaborates and consults with supervisors, treatment-team members, community partners, and other relevant parties concerning clinical issues.
• Performs initial and ongoing wellness planning in collaboration with the resident and the treatment team.
Provides peer-based support and motivation to residents and outpatient program participants.
• Uses the KIPU database to enter peer support notes, case-management notes, client information updates, billing information and other relevant client information.
• Maintains knowledge of housing voucher and lease rules, tenant rights, program rules, and relevant legal and ethical codes.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Do you love helping others? Are you excited to work for an organization that is continuously voted as a Top Work Place by the staff? First Step House is looking to hire individuals who are driven to provide the best client experience possible. If you are a results-driven, passionate person, who enjoys challenges and the rewards that come from them, we’d love to hear from you.

Underlying all that we do at First Step House is a deep regard for the person. Many of our clients arrive at our doorstep with very little resources, lack of family support, and numerous barriers to overcome. They are individuals who have been stigmatized and marginalized by our society. Our task is to afford our clients respect, opportunity, and hope. It is our belief that the roles of our employees and the organization are to exercise every resource possible to empower those we serve to build healthy and resilient lives.

To that end, we will make every effort to provide you with the tools and the training that you need to meet the diverse needs of our clients.

First Step House aims to help our staff help others while ensuring they have time to live life outside of work too. In 2022, First Step House moved to a 36-hour work week. By analyzing meeting and service schedules, improving internal…