Peer Specialist, Office

Duties Description

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill a Peer Specialist, G-09, position in the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services (OAPSS). OAPSS works to ensure the inclusion of recipient perspectives into OMH policy making, planning, program development, and evaluation. The incumbent will work to promote awareness of recovery, self-help and empowerment, and the inclusion of people who are current and former users of mental health services into all areas of the mental health system.

The incumbent will serve at a Statewide level and will function as a Youth Peer Specialist within OAPSS.

Specific duties to be performed after receipt of training may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with guidance on developing peer/recovery-oriented programming and support to enhance the provision of peer support services statewide and foster growth of the peer support workforce with a special focus on the youth peer support workforce.
• Connect community programs with contracted entities for technical assistance on peer support best practices and ways to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by individuals and families within the mental health and intersecting systems.
• Promote the inclusion of youth and Youth Peer Advocates in planning, policy implementation, program development, evaluation, monitoring, and related activities, by serving as a liaison between OMH and the community.
• Assist the youth peer advocate workforce in locating and obtaining relevant training and education to enhance their skills and professional development.
• Perform community outreach tasks with the goal of building relationships with the community, providers, and programs.
• Seek input from youth in a variety of forums to create a feedback loop and to promote voice, choice, and meaningful participation in services.
• Participate in systems advocacy, working internally within OMH toward systematic changes through participation in internal work groups, providing data/feedback to other departments, and reviewing potential new programs.
• Work with psychiatric centers, central office and field office staff to continue to incorporate the youth perspective into Agency service development, regulations, guidance, and external messaging.
• Participate in program visits and provide feedback on the program’s strengths and improvement needs.
• Communicate by phone, mail, email, fax, and in person with a wide variety of individuals, including executive and program staff from other State agencies, community providers, constituent groups, youth and families.
• Draft correspondence and reports from agencies, contractors, and field staff.
• Attend staff meetings virtually and in person.
• Be proficient in programs such as Excel, Word, Teams, One Note, and Outlook.
• Other duties as assigned.

Non-Competitive:
Candidates must have two years of lived experience participating in youth or young adult mental health self-help activities as an individual under 21, youth peer support or advocacy programs, or similar organizations or services focused on youth development or support. Lived experience is defined as the first-hand, personal knowledge and understanding gained from directly navigating and receiving services and supports in the children’s mental health and other child related systems.

A Mental Health Peer is defined as individual with lived experience who is actively in recovery from a mental health condition and has self-disclosed their mental health journey.

• Lived mental health experience from first-hand, personal knowledge and understanding gained from directly navigating and receiving services and supports as an element of their recovery as a young person.
• Experience as an advocate in the mental health system.
• A Youth Peer Advocacy credential (YPA or YPA-P).

Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

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