Peer Specialist Overnight Shift
Gainesville Peer Respite
Peer Specialist – Overnight Shift
Job Description
The Gainesville Peer Respite (GPR) is a peer-support community that provides wellness and recovery activities, support groups and psychiatric hospitalization alternatives in a homelike environment to those who are experiencing or have experienced overwhelming mental/emotional distress. We seek to create a community that supports open dialogue, empowerment, self-determination, recovery and wellness. Our staff members have lived experiences similar to those we serve. Together we hope to create an environment that helps people transform experiences of distress into opportunities for learning and life enhancement.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
o Provide one-on-one peer support through active listening and sharing of one’s own lived experience with extreme emotional distress, psychiatric diagnoses and/or hospitalization, emotional distress as a result of trauma, or other mental health challenges.
o Provide phone-based peer support through the GPR warm line.
o Ensure a safe and welcoming environment for guests and visitors.
o Screen potential guests to ensure they are self-referred and an appropriate fit for GPR by conducting guest interviews and consulting with other staff to make a final decision.
o Provide house orientation and guide guests through check-in and check-out procedures.
o Be knowledgeable about and connect guests and visitors to community resources and services if requested.
o Develop and facilitate social and wellness activities and/or support groups in collaboration with the Program Coordinator and/or the Co-Director for Peer Support.
o Share in maintaining the general environment of the house inside and outside, keeping it clean, organized and peaceful. Participate in household chores including cleaning bathrooms, laundry, lawn care, etc.
o Provide house tours for participants, visitors and overnight guests.
o Perform data entry and maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of services provided.
o Staff information tables at local events on occasion.
o Understand and follow all GPR policies and procedures.
o Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Co-Directors.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience
o Must be 18 years old with high school diploma or GED.
o Must identify as having lived experience of extreme emotional distress, psychiatric diagnoses and/or hospitalization, emotional distress as a result of trauma, or other mental health challenges and be willing to share your experiences with others.
o Crisis intervention experience and/or working at a peer-run respite is preferred.
o Certified Peer Specialist, Intentional Peer Support, Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention and/or Trauma-Informed training is preferred. Other forms of training and experience relevant to peer support are also valued.
Knowledge and Skills
o Possess excellent listening skills with a demonstrated ability to support individuals compassionately and with an openness to a diversity of life experiences and worldviews.
o Familiarity and understanding of the mental health system, psychiatric diagnoses, extreme states and/or trauma.
o Familiarity with recovery, peer support and peer respite values and principles preferred.
o Excellent time management skills as well as critical thinking, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
o Demonstrated ethical behavior, cultural awareness and the ability to build trust and rapport in all respite activities with persons from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
o Proficiency with Microsoft WORD, Excel, Gmail, Google Calendar and digital file storage is strongly preferred.
o Familiarity with PowerPoint, social media and web platforms or willingness to learn these skills.
o Bilingual/bicultural in English and American Sign Language or Spanish preferred.
Abilities
o Ability to empower individuals to take leadership in their own recovery.
o Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently and effectively and handle multiple, concurrent tasks, projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
o Be willing to learn and use Intentional Peer Support and inclusive language that does not pathologize, stigmatize or label persons’ lived experience or life orientation.
o Treat all guests and staff with dignity, courtesy and respect.
o Be willing to work in a team-centered environment with a variety of individuals.
o Be willing to work the overnight shift alone.
o Physical ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
Attributes
o Believe that growth, recovery and change are possible.
o Value self-determination and self-sufficiency.
o Be respectful of and compassionate toward other people’s thoughts, behaviors, ideas and needs.
o Demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to take responsibility for own mistakes, successes, weaknesses and strengths, as well as being able and willing to seek support when needed.
o Optimistic and confident in approach and outlook.
o Safe and approachable, including when under pressure.
Supervisory Relationship:
Peer Specialists will report to the Executive Director
Employment Status and Wages:
o $14.50/hour.
o A 2-3% pay increase will be considered annually in May and will be contingent upon an above satisfactory job performance, budgetary factors and Board approval. The pay increase, if granted, will be implemented the first full pay period in July.
Work Schedule and other Job Requirements:
o Must be available a minimum of 3 shifts/week, mostly overnight (10:30 p.m.–7:00 a.m.) Must work alone and stay awake during overnight shifts. Must have flexibility to cover other shifts on occasion including
6:30 am-3 pm, 11:30 am- 5:00 (weekends), 11:30 am-7:00 pm (weekdays), and 2:30 pm -11 pm.
o Must attend a mandatory team meeting every Monday from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
o Must have weekday, holiday and weekend availability.
o Must agree to a 90-day probationary period.
o Must be punctual and dependable.
o Must complete a comprehensive training within the first 4 weeks of hire.
o Must agree to take a thorough background check.
o Must be a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist in the state of Florida or be willing to become certified within one year of hire date. This includes attending a one-time, 5-day training paid for by GPR. This training may be within Florida or out-of-state.
o Must have reliable transportation to and from work.
o Must be willing to attend local, regional, and national trainings as assigned (paid for by GPR).
Benefits:
o This part-time position does not come with benefits.
Professional Development:
o Attendance at relevant conferences, workshops, trainings or professional development opportunities as budget permits and upon approval of the Executive Director.
Start Date: As soon as possible, but no later than December 2. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.