General Description: STEER Montgomery County (MC), through its Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has partnered with Stop, Triage, Engage, Educate and Rehabilitate (STEER) to work collaboratively with MC’s primary referral sources (Police Department, Emergency Departments, Emergency Medical Services and the Department of Correction/Rehabilitation) to provide MC residents with rapid response and linkage to treatment, coordination of services and Peer support to persons with substance mis-use and co-occuring disorders. Team works to identify and remove barriers to securing and maintaining permanent housing and resources. Peer Specialist will supply additional supports by connecting to resources and mentoring to help reduce the relapses and deaths. The Peer Specialist will develop healthy relationships with Peers and other staff while modeling appropriate and supportive coping skills. The Peer Specialist must have an understanding and respect of each individual’s path to recovery and will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Offering peer support to mentor individuals referred to the program.
• Helping to develop and promote life skills necessary to overcome barriers and stigmas
• Creating access to treatment or connection to Peer Support as dictated by the Peer.
• Will meet with identified Peers to speak from a place of compassion, empathy, and shared experience.
• Work with case management on challenges faced by Peers to assist barriers and with next steps in their continuum of care.
• Assisting the Peers in working toward mastering the skills necessary to live healthy independent life.
• Supporting connections to community based, mutual self-help groups and resources (e.g., work, school, physical activity, etc.).
• Identifying barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Providing a “listening ear” for Peers and facilitating conflict resolution.
• Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships while always maintaining profession boundaries.
• Observing Peers, reporting, and documenting
• Completing assigned trainings.
• Attending mandatory scheduled staff meetings.
• Representing STEER in the community in accordance with the agency’s mission and vision.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• High school graduate or GED.
• Certified as a Peer Specialist or person with lived experience seeking certification.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to solve problems, negotiate and deal with a variety of concrete variables.
• Knowledge of Recovery Coaching
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• SPANISH SPEAKING is a plus!