Peer Support Specialist Jobs

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Peer Support Specialist to join our team. Under the direction of Practice Manager or Clinical Team Leader {CTL), the Peer Support Specialist will support consumers involved in the Mental Jail Diversion Program. Support includes listening, encouraging, coaching, empowering and connecting peers to resources that suit that individual's recovery needs. Responsibilities include respectful treatment of others, modeling self- responsibility, developing relationships, advocating, and team participation. The Peer Support Specialist will take responsibility for personal recovery at all times and will complete training requirements.

What you will do:

• Attend Peer Navigator group sessions as determined necessary.
• Participate with Team and attend meetings as required.
• Help identify activities as personal medicine for their peers and to encourage utilization of these activities on a regular basis.
• Be conscious of the language used to describe life and how to recreate troubling events using language that offers more options.
• Coach peers about recovery; identify local resources; coach partners when necessary; facilitate groups when possible; share experiences and advocate.
• Develops relationships by providing support and encouragement that will enhance consumer's ability to take action against the problem instead of being controlled.
• Encourages consumers to attend consumer meetings/support groups and supports their effort.
• Develop empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Takes responsibility for personal recovery at all times, and models self-responsibility.
• Complies with agency policies and procedures and demonstrates professional, ethical and confidential conduct in all work behavior.
• Complies with agency policies and procedures in completing any required documentation.
• Respects the rights and dignity of everyone at all times.

What qualifications you will need:

• Basic understanding of mental illness, common signs and symptoms, able to identify difficulties with coping in community settings. Familiar with the Mental Health system. Bilingual a strong plus. Computer literacy helpful. Group affiliations a strong plus, i.e. JAMI, DBSA, AA, NA, etc.
• Able to coordinate well with others.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills, listening and positive interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills required.
• High School Diploma or General Education Degree(G.E.D),required.
• Must self-identify as a user of Mental Health Services with no crisis services utilized within a year, and no hospitalization within a year. May consider one stay within year if it was of short duration. Have a treatment history of one of the severe and persistent mental illnesses. Background check required. Prefer past experience of being in mental health crisis. Prefer experience of some homelessness.
• Able to work collaboratively with others in a teamwork environment.
• If not certified as a Peer Specialist, certification must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Must have a valid Texas ID.

What we have to offer:

The HARRIS CENTER offers competitive salary, excellent benefits package, retirement plans matched with company matching, prior service credit towards generous PTO accrual, outstanding wellness programs and professional development.

Employees can also take advantage of business casual dress code, corporate discounts, and gym memberships. New hire referral bonus, discounts are also available on an optional basis. These include mobile phone service, fitness centers and other wellness amenities.

What else you should know:

This posting is associated with position #50126

About us:

The HARRIS CENTER is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The HARRIS CENTER provided care to over 79,000 people in fiscal year 2019 and has an annual budget of over $275 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 42 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,300 employees, The HARRIS CENTER is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.