Job Description Summary: 

The Community-Focused Peer Support Specialist plays a crucial role in bridging community members with necessary support services. This position emphasizes community engagement, crisis intervention, and collaboration with law enforcement. Key aspects of this role include:

• Lived Experience: Peer support specialists bring their own lived experience of overcoming mental health challenges or substance use. This unique perspective fosters empathy and understanding.
• Holistic Approach: Peer support services focus on the whole person, considering social, emotional, and practical needs.
• Reducing Stigma: By sharing their stories, peer specialists help reduce stigma around mental health and substance use.
• Building Trust: Community members often feel more comfortable confiding in peers, leading to stronger relationships and better outcomes.
• Trauma Informed:  Services are delivered within trauma-informed principles

Responsibilities:

• Community Outreach and Engagement:
  • Actively engage with community members to identify those in need of peer support services.
  • Build relationships with local organizations, community leaders, and residents.
• Crisis Intervention:
  • Respond promptly when law enforcement identifies individuals requiring peer support.
  • Provide emotional support, active listening, and practical assistance during crises.
  • Help de-escalate situations and prevent further legal entanglement.
• Resource Connection:
  • Connect individuals to mental health services, substance use treatment, housing, domestic violence, housing, and other community resources.
  • Collaborate with social workers, counselors, and other professionals.
• Collaboration with Social Work Team:
  • Work closely with other members of the Police Social Work team.
  • Consult and coordinate services to ensure comprehensive support for community members
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Typical physical demands include prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, and stooping.
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment as needed. 
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions and to work irregular hours. 
• TB test upon hire.