Job Description

We are seeking to hire a passionate and reliable Forensic Certified Peer Specialist to join our Justice Related Services program! The JRS team works across Northampton County and is based out of our Bethlehem, PA office. We serve adults who are diagnosed with severe mental illness and involved in the criminal justice system. Many of the individuals we serve are currently incarcerated in Northampton County. The program helps clients get involved in their communities, decrease hospital visits, decrease criminal behavior, shorten the amount of time spent in correctional facilities, and avoid future incarceration.

As a Forensic Certified Peer Specialist, you will get to work with a unique population, many of whom are currently incarcerated, and greatly in need of services. You will use your lived experience to help clients achieve their goals, find stability, cope in healthy ways, and improve their overall wellness.

This position is designed to provide support to individuals within the Northampton jail, subject to approval of the warden. Pursuant to that, the scope, criteria, and availability of this work is subject to change for the candidate in this role.

Requirements

Work Schedule :

• Full Time, 40 Hours weekly; Monday-Friday

Key Responsibilities of Forensic Certified Peer Specialist:

• Collaborate with individual being served and case manager to develop strategies for identifying, achieving, and maintaining goals; Maintain positive working relationships, and frequent open communication with supervisor and team.

• Provide direct supports respectfully and with a person-centered approach; help ensure the highest quality of care to individuals in providing “help that makes sense.”

• Coach individuals to identify personal interests related to recovery and to use community resources (educational, vocational, social, cultural, and spiritual) that align with their interests.

• Provide skill building support and education in topics such as mental health, wellness, and living in recovery.

• Collect and prepare program and/or individual related data as requested; Carefully document all work according to agency guidelines; Write case review documents and discuss services during staff meetings.

• Assist leadership in the promotion of peer based support in the forensic space.

• Actively assist in the resolution of crisis situations.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs. 

• Ability to travel during work shift to successfully carry out the expectations of this position. Therefore, employees drive their personal vehicle and/or an agency owned vehicle to meet these expectations. Employees are expected to meet eligibility criteria outlined in our Motor Vehicle Policy and successfully pass the agency’s substance abuse screening at any time during employment. 

Qualifications of a Forensic Certified Peer Specialist:

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required ; Associate degree in related fields such as social work, human services, or psychology preferred. 

Experience:

• One year prior work/volunteer experience required.
• The lived experience of personal recovery and understanding of mental illness and principles of recovery are highly desired. 

Certification: One of the following two certifications is required to be completed in advance, or within 6 months of hire, for any candidate to be considered for this role:

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)
• Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS)
• Completion of WRAP Facilitator training is desirable for any candidate to have completed.

Driving requirements:

• Valid driver’s license with 2+ years of driving experience, reliable vehicle, and car insurance (required); no vehicle suspensions in the last 48 months.
• Willingness to drive throughout Northampton County during the workday to meet with clients (required)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational and oral/written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, work as part of a team, as well as the ability to maintain effective working relationships with personnel from state and local agencies and other professionals.
• Demonstrated cooperative and caring attitude toward others.
• Ability to motivate and encourage others.
• Knowledge of recovery principles and motivational interviewing.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting laws, rules and policies governing agency services.
• Commitment to upholding individual rights. 
• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies. 

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Work in program sites and the community routinely providing direct care and/or support with individual(s).
• Stand, sit or run by self, or to provide proper care and supervision with an individual.
• Able to move and stay with an individual to keep them safe, both in home environment and community, both at near and far distances, even when an individual may struggle to meet identified expectations.
• Able to assist an individual who has fallen, regardless of weight or size.
• Walk, climb stairs by self, or to provide direct care and/or support.
• Work in a standard office environment and utilize desktop computer equipment on a daily basis.
• Able to lift or move items associated with sedentary work and light work (exert up to 20 lbs.)
• Travel to offsite locations and regional office locations if necessary. 

Benefits

Compensation:

• Starting rate of $20/hourly

Our full-time comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, Vision, Rx, & Dental insurances, HSA/FSA, 401k program.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• 20 days PTO (vacation/sick), 7 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays.
• Mileage/Toll Reimbursement, paid travel time between worksites.
• Life Insurance, Short/Long Term Disability, Catastrophic Sick Leave, Paid Parental Leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (telehealth/in person).
• Referral Bonuses up to $750 per hire
• College tuition discounts, Credit Union perks, retail discount.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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