Wheeling PD Peer Liaison

Job Details: Job Location: Wheeling, WV (Police Department) - Wheeling, WV, Salary Range: Undisclosed, First Choice Services is a 501c3 non-profit organization. First Choice Services serves multiple states with an array of programs that promote wellbeing and facilitate access to behavioral health and social services. First Choice Services is proud to be a second chance employer, offering opportunities to peers with a variety of lived experiences.

Position Overview

The First Choice Services WPD Peer Liaison (PL) provides peer support services to clients with addiction and/or behavioral health issues, as well as those in the community with other social service and concrete needs. By demonstrating competencies, observing professional ethics, utilizing appropriate and effective coping skills, serving as an advocate, following best practice, and providing information and referral, the peer functions as a role model and coach to those seeking personal wellness and long-term recovery.

The PL is additionally an asset in areas where Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), Quick Response Teams (QRT), the Angel Initiative or other deflection/diversion programs are active. The PL will be trained in the overdose response efforts, LEAD and Angel Projects to assist officers with PAD by connecting individuals to substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment, arranging transportation to treatment, and completing required documentation of events.

First Choice Services will be the employer of record and provide all HR support and peer support supervision. The day to day performance management and site supervision of the PL will be the responsibility of the Wheeling Police Department (WPD). The WPD will provide routine onboarding training, provide limited key card access to facility and WPD identification.

The PL is characterized by their patience, empathy, and interest in helping others. The PL is trained to assist with client navigation and access of resources and supports within multiple programs and from multiple community-based agencies. The PL may additionally support outreach efforts related to the collaboration of FCS with the WPD.

Essential Job Functions

Promote ongoing recovery from substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders using written recovery plans and tracking progress toward goals. Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving goals.
Promote the wellness of individuals experiencing social, emotional, behavioral health, housing, or other challenges by assisting with information, resource, community referral, natural supports, useful contacts, support groups, etc.
Work within assigned law enforcement team to meet clients where they are and facilitate deflection and diversion through a community partnership based on the CIT model.
Maintain a professional demeanor suitable to First Choice Services, the law enforcement team, and the larger community.
Act as a guide/coach for peers by helping them identify and utilize strengths, develop resilience, and overcome personal and environmental barriers that jeopardize recovery.
Help individuals identify environmental factors, interpersonal factors and/or risk behaviors that are associated with their substance use behaviors in effort to help support their recovery efforts.
Help individuals find resources for harm reduction, detoxification, treatment, family/community/peer support and education, and local or online support groups.
Assist clients in working with their treatment team to support progress toward goals and self-directed recovery.
Appropriately document all client contact, outreach participation, and other approved work activities.
Gather and exchange information based on the caller’s needs and individual circumstances.
Communicate information about various appropriate treatment services and available supports without bias.
Document client interactions within the electronic database as well as within other systems as needed.
Follow-up with clients to monitor and track success, field concerns, and provide further information, referral and support as needed.
Participate in outreach activities as needed.
Adhere to the policies and procedures of both First Choice Services and the Wheeling Police Department.
Adhere to the WVCBAPP PRSS code of ethics.
Client transportation for various needs.

Non-Essential Job Functions

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification or a minimum of two years’ time in recovery with the ability and commitment to obtaining certification within 1 year of employment.
Primary residence within a 45-mile radius of the Wheeling city limits.
Lived personal experience with substance use disorder/addiction.
Ongoing involvement with a personal support and/or recovery system.
No justice system involvement within the last two years.
No intensive behavioral health treatment (intensive outpatient, crisis stabilization/detoxification, residential treatment and/or psychiatric hospitalization) within the last six months.
Minimum of two most recent years in recovery with no SUD treatment for the preceding six months, excepting MAT.
Valid Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record and insurance, and reliable transportation.
Basic computer and data entry skills
Knowledge of the principles of recovery.
Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Adherence to the WVCBAPP PRSS Code of Ethics
Participation in Clinical Supervision twice monthly.
Meet with Program Director once a month.
Continuing education as required by certification.
Passion for helping others in the area of suicide prevention, mental health and addiction.
Respect each client’s privacy rights under HIPAA and other applicable laws and regulations during the provision of services.
Provide all services in an ethical manner while maintaining participant dignity.
Participate in professional development, staff meetings, continuing education, quality improvement, training and performance review as required by First Choice Services or by the Wheeling Police Department.
Participate in WPD onboarding and orientation training including but not limited to:

Login access to RMS and other systems
Orientation to staff, WPD policy and procedures
Orientation to electronic time reporting
Orientation to WPD Core values and Mission Statement

Provide for the safety and wellbeing of callers following all applicable mandated reporter and duty of care standards.
Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Ability to respond quickly in person to crises and individuals in need in the community regardless of accessibility.

Other Skills/Abilities

Ability to multi-task: Manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among multiple tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or appearance of frustration.
Communication skills: Reads, writes and speaks fluent English in order to convey information and ideas effectively. Demonstrates exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to prepare concise and accurate records and reports.
Organizational ability: Demonstrates a systematic approach in carrying out tasks and assignments.
Problem solving skills: Demonstrates a strong ability to properly identify and analyze problems. Able to follow the proper policies and procedures to solve identified problems.
Client service skills: Consistently ensures that participants are provided with attentive, courteous and informative service. Gains and shows personal satisfaction from delivering expected service elements.
Computer skills: Comfortably and confidently uses a computer and specialized software.
Initiative: Self-motivated and shows willingness to accomplish multiple tasks as assigned.
Integrity: Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of First Choice Services. Exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.
Cooperativeness: Willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information with others.
Flexibility: Is open to changing situations and opportunities and is willing to perform all tasks assigned.
Independence: Able and willing to perform tasks and duties without direct supervision.
Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency: Maintains a positive outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Normal office environment
Working in the community including but not limited to meeting people in their homes, transporting clients, regular contact with clients and occasionally victims or suspects.
Ability to travel in the passenger seat of a LE cruiser, climb multiple flights of stairs, traverse natural terrain, and otherwise work alongside law enforcement officers on patrol and in the community.

Benefits!

Second-chance employer
Large long-term recovery population
Competitive wages
Health, dental and vision insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Basic and voluntary life insurance
Paid time off package
Floating holiday
Holiday pay
401(k) with company match after 1 year of service
Rewarding work in a fun work environment with fantastic people
Massage chairs, quiet rooms, and VR headsets
Outreach Opportunities
Discounted gym membership with the YMCA
Employee engagement events

First Choice Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer! Come join our team! 
Qualifications: