JOB SUMMARY
Under the general supervision of the Manager, the Warming Shelter Support Staff for Code Blue Services engages with individuals to coordinate activities to form trust-based relationships that foster hope for positive change and personal empowerment leading to successful integration back into the community. The Guides work closely with participants to address problems and answer questions, gather information, advocate and connect participants to resources and to the community. Guides assist participants in goal setting and work toward developing skills. The Guides will share and discuss common peer experiences when appropriate. Guides will assist in building a sense of community and assist participants to create meaningful lives in the community. Guides will be responsible for planning, organizing, developing, leading and facilitating group activities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Maintain and practice self-care.
- Maintain good rapport with partnering agencies, director, assistant director, team members, and volunteers.
- Attend trainings and community meetings both virtually and in person as required and assigned by director/manager.
- Maintains and prepares detailed written record of activities to meet documentation and reporting requirements.
- Reports to and meets with director on a regular basis.
- Performs clerical and office duties as required and assigned.
- Assists in training and mentoring new staff as requested.
- Develop trust and rapport with participants in the program.
- Identify person centered strengths, needs, abilities and recovery goals of participants.
- Conduct themselves and perform in a professional manner in accordance with Agency policies and procedures.
- Be flexible and possess the ability to handle a changing environment.
- Display a cooperative and positive attitude with other team members harmoniously.
- Teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience.
- Assist participants with referrals and linkages to other services.
- Provide advocacy services to participants using person centered language and a recovery orientated approach.
- Planning/organizing groups and activities.
- Develop trust and rapport with participants.
- Possess the ability to work independently and in a group setting.
- Data Collection:
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility for any other employees, however, this position may be required to coordinate the collection or distribution of information to/from various individuals/positions within the company.
COMPLEXITY OF WORK AND DECISION MAKING:
Works in accordance with policies and regulations which may require judgment, initiative, creativity and the ability to deal with complex factors and making of decisions based on conclusions for which there may be little precedent.
AUTONOMY AND ACCOUNTABILITY:
Works from general objectives (such as governmental and agency compliance standards) and broad and varying policies, procedures, rules or precedents with significant functional guidance. Refers specific cases to supervisor for clarification or interpretation. Review by supervisor focuses on achievement of the objective and not necessarily on the means, except when required to ensure compliance with regulations.
TECHNOLOGY, EQUIPMENT OR TOOLS:
Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word and Outlook. Evidence of skills demonstrated by the ability to perform all of the basic functions within each program; including but not limited to maintaining a calendar, sending e-mail, creating letters as well as the ability to create and edit workbooks. General office equipment is used including fax machine, computer and phone system.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work follows established practices and operating procedures with some latitude for independent judgment. Maintains strict visual contact with work. May occasionally lift up to (35) thirty-five pounds without mechanical assistance. Work involves sitting, driving, and ambulating from task to task.The noise level in the work environment is usually light.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- High School diploma or GED.
- Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the New York State public mental health and substance use system. Lived experience with the mental health system, preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of advocacy, self-help and empowerment programs for recipients of mental health and substance use services. Prior experience in peer advocacy is preferred.
- Ability to convey a message of hope and recovery for people with psychiatric disabilities.
- Ability to complete basic documentation requirements regarding work activities. Solid written and oral skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and internet/email access, preferred
- Delineate behaviors behind values of critical care and recovery preferred
- Wellness Recovery Action Plan Training
- Must have own vehicles, clean driving record and adequate automobile insurance coverage
- Flexible schedule, willing to cover shifts when necessary and be on call when necessary
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Must possess advocacy skills; attention to detail; effective communication, writing and documentation skills.
- Ability to take direction and follow-through on assignments both independently and with limited supervision.
- Must have an understanding and working knowledge of confidentiality laws (HIPAA) regarding recipient’s records and personal/health information.
- Ability to demonstrate understanding of community services.
- Must be proficient in MS Word/Excel, internet and e-mail.
- Multitasking
- Help maintain a clean, safe and secure environment
- Organizational skills
- Maintain good time management
- Dependability/reliability
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with our without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “essential functions” of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.
Recovery Options Made Easy, is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.
Recovery Options Made Easy, will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact Colleen Hutchinson at Recovery Options Made Easy.
