Peer Specialist

Options for Community Living, Inc. is committed to helping Long Island’s most vulnerable families and individuals live healthier, more stable, and productive lives. In 1982, Options was established to respond to the need for housing in the community for people with serious mental illness. Today, Options serves over 2,000 adults and children annually and manages more than 160 residential properties across Long Island. 

*$500 Sign-on Bonus!*

Options for Community Living, Inc. is looking for an Empowerment Specialist (Peer Specialist) to join our team! An ideal candidate should meet the following requirements:

• Must be able to read and comprehend program materials (8th Grade Reading Level or higher).
• Must have adequate interpersonal skills in order to motivate and assist others.
• Must be able to communicate knowledgably about the local services and systems of care.
• Should be reflective of the population being served with 1 year of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy program or recipient run organizations or similar programs.
• Must hold an OMH-endorsed Peer Credential, either the Youth Peer Advocate Credential: YPA-C or the New York Certified Peer Specialist Certification: NYCPS.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish).
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, valid auto insurance and access to a vehicle is required.

Our Benefits include:

• Generous PTO: Wellness, Vacation and Sick time
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Wellness Initiatives
• Paid Training & On-the-Job Training
• Promotional Opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement

Salary Range: $18.00/hour - $22.00/hour 

The above salary range represents Options for Community Living’s good faith and reasonable estimate of potential compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job posting and may be modified in the future. When determining a salary offer, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., years of relevant experience, education level, language skillset, credentials, professional licensure, budget, and internal equity).

Schedule: 17.5 - 21 hours/week

Location: In person based out of our Hempstead office, with field visits required.

Pay Type: Non-exempt

Responsibilities:

The Empowerment Specialist, Level 1, will coach and encourage tenants in self-advocacy and self-management. Provide frequent contact and monitoring of progress and accompany tenants on clinical and supportive service appointments. Assist case manager during client intervention and participates in case conferences and assist with maintenance of documentation/client files.

• Coach and encourage consumers in self-advocacy and self-management.
• Provide frequent contact and monitoring of progress.
• Accompany consumers on clinical and supportive service appointments.
• Assist case managers during some client interventions.
• Participate in case conferences.
• Assist with maintenance of binder/client files.

Salary Range$18—$22 USD

Incredible people doing meaningful work. People come to work at Options to help improve the overall quality of life for individuals within the community. Our welcoming workforce is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable Long Islanders reach their fullest potential.