Adult Peer Support Specialist

About Us:

Optimal Living Services believes that every individual has obstacles they will need to face and that the services our team provides will give hope to all of our clients. We partner with clients to increase awareness and empower them to develop the skills to manage these challenges. We utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and group therapy to meet our client's needs while reducing social stigma. Our mission is to promote choices for healthier lives and safer communities by providing professional assistance to those in need of prevention, crisis intervention, criminal justice alternatives, community outreach, substance abuse and mental health treatment services, and basic life skill development.

Optimal Living Services provides mental health and substance use counseling to individuals who may be struggling and helps them to recognize their potential, capability and worth. Every individual faces challenges during their life and we believe that no one should have to face these alone; with the support of our team, clients will further understand their obstacles and develop the tools to better handle these. We have both outpatient and in-patient programs that are tailored to each client to help them achieve their goals and lead the life they want. Within these programs, we specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), client-centered therapy, accelerated resolution therapy, and group therapy. Join us in our mission to empower clients to realize their full potential and give them the tools to overcome life's challenges.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a full time Peer Support Specialist, a vital role that helps to keep inpatient clients in recovery from substance use disorder, motivated, supported, and educated. As a Peer Support Specialist, you will be responsible for providing education for every phase of the recovery process, maintaining reports and records of client progress, putting them in touch with community resources, and collaborating with clients through active listening to identify their goals and fears related to recovery. To be eligible for this position, you must be certified as a Peer Support Specialist and have maintained at least a year of recovery. To help clients in recovery, you must also have excellent organizational skills and strong verbal communication. We implore individuals with a passion for helping people, an enthusiastic, positive attitude, and the desire to be a role model to those in recovery to join us in our efforts.

Qualifications:

- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Peer Support Specialist Certification
- Actively involved or experience with a recovery program
- Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license
- Basic computer skills
- Ability to work in a variety of settings

Physical Demands: This role is not physically demanding. Requires sitting at a desk, walking, and light movement throughout the day.

Essential Functions:

- Provide recovery support with the ultimate goal of reintegrating clients into society
- Teach clients how to maintain a clean-living environment
- Educate and assist clients during all phases and challenges of recovery (initiation, stabilization, and sustained maintenance of recovery)
- Demonstrate and inspire through your own journey that recovery is attainable
- Understand and discover the personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses of an individual in regard to recovery
- Maintain professional boundaries while fostering an effective PSS-recoveree relationship
- Identify community support that aligns with the client's goals interests
- Understand and uncover the internal/external barriers that prohibit clients from fully participating in their recovery and create strategies to help them overcome these
- Ability to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds

Benefits: Optimal Living Services offers full-time, eligible employees paid holidays and vacation time, healthcare, dental and vision, life insurance, short-term disability, and retirement savings.

Travel: No travel required.

Remote Eligibility: This position is not eligible for remote/telework.

Must pass a background check and drug screening.