"Peer Support Specialist III"

Position Summary:

Rutgers The State University is seeking a Peer Support Specialist III in the Community Based Services- Support Team for Addiction Recovery (STAR) of Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.

The Peer Support Specialist III will serve as a role model to demonstrate recovery and wellness principles and provide non-clinical recovery support and to engage and empower individuals to pursue and maintain their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, access community resources, and reach their full potential.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engages individuals served in a collaborative and caring relationships.
• Initiates contact with individuals served.
• Listens to individuals served with careful attention to the content and emotion being communicated.
• Reaches out to engage individuals served across the whole continuum of the recovery process.
• Demonstrates genuine acceptance and respect.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three (3) years of relevant experience.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to speak clearly and write proficiently.
• The ability to focus on the task at hand despite numerous interruptions.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and document into an electronic medical record while in the field.
• Much time driving, walking, standing, and bending.
• Transport of individuals served in state vehicles.
• The employee can expect to lift up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The employee spends much time outdoors in all types of weather talking with individuals served in the community in open spaces, individuals' homes, shelters, soup kitchens, and institutions (prisons, jails, hospitals, treatment centers) and places where individuals congregate.
• Office based services include individual and group meetings.
• Individual wellness checks and crisis intervention required.
• Subject to unpredictable situations and crises, to include behavioral, medical, substance use and psychiatric.
• Occasionally exposed to individuals exhibiting assaultive behaviors.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens that requires use of personal protective equipment.