You will come for our dedication to service, industry competitive salary and excellent benefits. You will stay when you discover our organizational culture and supportive leadership that prioritizes your professional growth.  For over 70 years, our committed team of dedicated professionals has provided the solid foundation where hope and healing can begin to flourish.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist provides peer support services, participant (client) information and peer support for participants in behavioral emergency, outpatient and inpatient settings. This position performs a wide range of tasks to assist participants in regaining control over their own lives and over their own recovery process. By applying the tools the Peer Support Specialist has developed in their own recovery, as well as the philosophy and values of Intentional Peer Support, the Peer Support Specialist will build a connection, consider worldview, maintain mutuality and move towards a new way of being within the new relationship with the participant.  The Peer Support Specialist will also collaborate, coach and challenge participants in viewing crisis as an opportunity for growth and change.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING REQUIRED:

• Provides community outreach while assisting consumers in developing the knowledge and skills and acquiring the necessary supports to live as independently as possible in the least restrictive setting in the community. 
• Fully understands and is able to actively implement the values, philosophy and the four tasks of Intentional Peer Support.
• Models relationship building based on the four tasks of Intentional Peer Support with participants, volunteers and colleagues.
• Models the attributes of respect, trust, sensitivity and confidentiality to participants, volunteers and colleagues.
• Uses experience with personal recovery in assisting and supporting participants.
• Supports the participant as they aspire to roles which emphasize their strengths by sharing first hand experiences in their own recovery journey as well as offering hope, reassurance, self-determination and connection to the community.
• Coaches, collaborates and challenges participants' worldview to whom Peer Support is provided while maintaining mutual respect.
• Collaborates with family members and significant others as appropriate.
• Teaches and models the value of every individual's recovery experience.
• Provides and advocates for effective recovery-based services.
• Informs participants about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process.
• Follows policies and procedures with regard to the EHR to ensure that the services provided are consistent with best practices, assessment and/or treatment goals.
• Participates in scheduled meetings, including case reviews, supervisory sessions, staff meetings and other inter-agency and intra-agency meetings as appropriate for program and consumers.
• Maintains and utilizes knowledge of community resources.
• Participates in the provision of services in a team approach, networking with other providers and providing backup services in the absence of other staff.
• Provides public education and professional consultation services, when appropriate.
• We strive to ensure that your work experience reflects the values we hold most dear - respect for individual, diversity of thought and ideas, and commitment to professional growth in an environment where you can thrive and excel.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must obtain Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) provisional certification in the state of Maine within 9 months of hire and obtain and maintain full certification during employment. 
• Duties require knowledge of and direct experience with mental health services as a self-identified mental health client. Volunteer experience at a Peer Center, Peer Support 101 training, provisional CIPSS certification and/or work experience as a Peer Support Specialist preferred.
• Must possess a valid State of Maine driver's license