Peer Mentor

Description

East House is a dedicated non-profit organization committed to supporting individuals on their journey to recovery.  We provide comprehensive services, including residential support, counseling, peer support and community outreach to empower individuals to overcome mental health and substance use disorders and lead fulfilling lives.  Our mission is to foster a supportive environment that promotes healing and long-term recovery, while upholding our humanistic, optimistic, progressive, and collaborative values rooted in integrity.  

The Peer Mentor provides peer support, advocacy, and recovery education to individuals in residential and supported living environments. This role promotes empowerment, fosters hope, and supports individuals in achieving their recovery and community integration goals. 

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. East House considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. 

Responsibilities 

• Assists clients in articulating goals for recovery and determining steps and resources needed to achieve them. 
• Identifies barriers to community integration and provides appropriate interventions aligned with client recovery goals. 
• Maintains communication with program staff regarding client concerns and progress. 
• Coordinates and schedules recovery-based activities, trainings, and groups. 
• Collaborates with community agencies to gather and maintain relevant resources. 
• Provides outreach and support to clients in the community. 
• Promotes client use of community resources through modeling and education. 
• Assists clients in developing self-advocacy and empowerment skills. 
• Maintains documentation per East House policies and funder standards. 
• Occasional transportation of clients in a vehicle as large as a 15-passenger van is also required of the position.

Other Duties 

• Follows all applicable policies, federal and state laws, and East House compliance standards. 
• Collaborates with the Office of Ethics, Compliance & Quality to address non-compliance, and document corrective actions.  

Note: This job description may not cover all job duties and is subject to change without notice. Job duties, responsibilities, and/or activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

COMPETENCIES 

Alignment with East House Values 

• Humanistic, Collaborative, Optimistic, Progressive, Integrity. 
• Represents the organization professionally and aligns with its mission. 
• Performs work with integrity and in compliance with established processes, procedures, and regulations. 

Accountability 

• Takes responsibility for all work activities and personal actions. 
• Follows through on commitments; implements decisions that have been agreed upon. 
• Maintains confidentiality with sensitive information. 
• Acknowledges and learns from mistakes without blaming others. 
• Recognizes the impact of one’s behavior on others.  

Commitment to Belonging, Respect, and Building a Supportive Community 

• Values and appreciates the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of every individual. 
• Actively includes others in conversations and decision-making, fostering connections by learning about others' interests, and celebrating achievements to make individuals feel valued. 
• Listening without judgment, communicating and interacting politely and civilly, and acknowledging others' contributions to show appreciation and build trust. 
• Offering help, encouraging collaboration, and creating safe spaces where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.  

Working Conditions/Work Environment 

Traditional office and/or residential environment. Occasionally subjected to pressure due to time demands. May have to travel to various program locations which may not be accessible for individuals with reduced mobility.   

Physical/Mental Demands 

The physical demands/work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear, stand, walk, ability to reach above or below shoulders, use hands to type and/or perform light lifting (up to 25 lbs.), and occasional stair-climbing. 

Reasonable Accommodation  

East House provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-238-4800 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

Requirements

Qualifications 

Required Education & Experience  

• Must be a past or present consumer of mental health and/or substance use services 
• Minimum of 50 hours of relevant peer training from community agency. 
• High school diploma or GED required with 2-4 years’ previous experience in a Peer role preferred. 

Licensure/Certifications 

• Peer Certification preferred (provisional and/or permanent). 
• If not currently certified, must obtain Peer certification within 18 months of hire. 
• For HCBS Peer a provisional and/or permanent peer certification is required. 
• NYS motor vehicle license, safe driving record and availability of personal vehicle required.   

Other Skills/Knowledge/Experience 

• Ability to appropriately share personal experiences to support client recovery and wellness. 
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work independently and with diverse populations. 
• Basic computer literacy including email, internet use, and document editing. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and ability to create documents, tables, and charts. 
• Knowledge of person-centered practices.