Peer Support Specialist (Support Provider II)

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!  Johnson County Mental Health is currently looking for a Full-Time Peer Support Specialist to join our Homeless Services Team. This position will assist individuals in the community that are experiencing homelessness, to facilitate their access to resources and supports to maximize their independence and potential and promote their recovery. The successful candidate will demonstrate recovery expertise in mental illness by successfully supporting others in their recovery and have the ability to demonstrate their own efforts at recovery.  The candidate must self-identify as a present or former client of mental health services.  First review of applications will be May 14.

Job duties includes:

• Serves as a role model for clients by identifying as a client of mental health services in an effort to help clients develop skills for coping and managing psychiatric symptoms.
• Teaches, coaches and provides guidance and support on various skills to enable productive lives of individuals; assists individual and family members to identify strategies or treatment options and participates in the development and modification of plans to regain ability to make independent choices and promote coping skills; develops and maintains a positive and effective relationship with service recipients, families, and other service providers, serving as the main point of contact.  
• Provides individual and group peer support activities to promote skills for managing psychiatric symptoms and monitor and report client progress toward identified goals.
• Organizes and participates in meetings related to care coordination; completes documentation for direct services provided to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Transports individuals receiving services to appointments, activities, and/or work.

Minimum Job Requirements:

High School diploma or equivalent and one year of experience working in a human services field are required. May require KS/MO driver’s license, depending on department or agency.

Candidate in recovery from a dual diagnosis of mental health and/or substance use and certification in peer support preferred. Level 2 certification as peer specialist required within 7 months of hire.

Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.

Preferred Job Requirements:

No preferred job requirements.

Education/Experience Substitutions:

Education may be substituted for experience.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation.