Circare is a not-for-profit community based mental health agency located in Syracuse, New York. Circare programs are designed to help individuals and families, who have encountered certain obstacles develop the resources and supports to live a satisfying, naturally independent life.

The Peer Specialist will work in Circare’s Adult Community Based Services and provide Community Oriented Recovery & Empowerment (CORE) services, which assist individuals improve their independence, strengthen or reestablish their relationships with family and friends, finish their education, and find or keep a job.

The Peer Specialist develops mutually respectful relationships with individuals in order to identify a path toward sustained mental or behavioral health recovery. The process supports the development of self-advocacy, choice, and empowerment skills.

The Peer Specialist position is full-time (40 hours/week) 

Pay Range: $20.67 per hour

• Work with people in recovery with serious mental or behavioral health diagnoses, which may include Substance Use Disorder.
• Provide services to CORE clients, by helping them.
• Identify strengths and barriers and create an individual service plan to meet their goals.
• Develop strategies that address their barriers.
• Create community connections and linkage to natural and paid supports.
• Become more empowered by developing self-advocacy and informed decision-making skills.
• Deliver client services in the community where they live, work, and play.
• Perform work using person-centered plans, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices.
• Master and apply Program Guidance for CORE services.
• Must be able to work independently.

• Must be at least 18 and have a High School diploma or a GED.
• Must have lived experience with mental or behavioral health diagnoses.
  
  • The experience may be with an immediate family member (parent, child, spouse, sibling), other family member or friend, close enough to experience and understand the day-to-day challenges of living with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis.
• The lived experience may be the Peer Specialist’s own mental or behavioral health diagnosis, but must be in recovery sufficient to manage the job’s duties and responsibilities.
• Must have and or be in the process of obtaining a New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certificate.  Required coursework must be completed and the Certificate Application must be submitted to the certifying body prior to sending a resume and cover letter to Circare. The Peer Certificate must be received within 30 days of hire. 
• Must deliver client services in the community
• Must have a valid driver’s license and own transportation:
  • Circare’s insurance carrier requires that Circare employees who drive personal vehicles for work maintain minimum auto insurance coverage limits of at least $100,000/person; $300,000/accident and that employees provide HR with proof of current minimum insurance coverage (copy of Auto Liability Insurance Declaration Page) on their first day of employment. Employees are required to provide an updated Auto Liability Insurance Declaration Page to HR by expiration date on Declaration Page.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Good data management and utilization skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Multilingual a plus.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance (with employer-funded HRA-Health Reimbursement Arrangement)
• Wellness Benefits
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Profit Sharing Plan and 401K option
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training and Continuing Education Opportunities
• Student Loan Forgiveness
• Generous Paid Leave
• Paid and Optional Holidays
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Family Leave

Circare provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), parental status, religion, national origin, citizenship, status as a victim of domestic violence, age, military or veteran status, handicap or disability, family medical history or predisposing genetic characteristics or carrier status, marital status, family status, political affiliation, felony conviction record, status as a victim of a crime, or status as an employee who has complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit, or any other categories, status or activity protected by federal, state or local law.


Salary and hourly compensation ranges are provided in accordance with NYS law and are based on Circare’s good faith belief of what is accurate at the time of posting. Salary and hourly compensation offers are based on candidate's education level and experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager and program.

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