Peer Support - Fargo

Overview

Position: Peer Support (Entry Level) in Behavioral Health

Location: Community Options Fargo, Fargo, ND 58103

Type: Full Time |
Education: High School Diploma or GED

Salary: $17.34 – $20.40 per hour (DOE)

Community Options has an exciting opportunity within the Behavioral Health Department as a Peer Support. This role involves sharing personal experience, knowledge, and first-hand recovery insights to benefit clients. Services are delivered by trained and certified individuals in mental health, substance use, or brain injury to promote hope, self-determination, and long-term independence in the community. Peer Support Services are community-based and are expected to occur in the community for approximately 85% of the workday, primarily in individuals’ homes and communities.

The Peer Support worker will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to help prevent relapse and promote recovery.

Travel/Work conditions: May require travel; operate in community and home settings; work shifts typically during the day.

• Share personal lived experience and build authentic peer-to-peer relationships with clients.
• Provide mentorship, advocacy, and motivation to support clients in achieving recovery goals.
• Demonstrate ability to develop recovery-oriented relationships while respecting each client’s unique path.
• Deliver community-based peer support to promote hope, self-determination, and skill-building for independence.
• Support clients in their home and community environments; collaborate with other team members as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED; ability to read and write at a level sufficient for training, documentation, and the duties of peer support.
• Self-identify as an individual with lived experience and willing to publicly identify as in recovery from a mental health disorder, brain injury, substance use disorder, or combination. Preference for individuals with at least one year of personal successful recovery.
• Desire to assist others in achieving personal recovery; knowledge of mental health services and local resources; prefer working in clients’ homes and natural environments.
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, reliable transportation, and vehicle insurance as required; ability to travel per operational and client needs (including travel to surrounding regions).
• Successful completion of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) approved Certified Peer Specialist training and certification exam or ability to obtain within first 3 months of employment.
• Criminal background check, drug screening, and ND DHS pre-employment approval as required.
• Completion of Community Options training as needed.

Required Skills

• Clear, concise, and accurate communication
• Reading, writing, understanding, and applying written instructions in English
• Basic computer skills
• Ethical and professional decision-making
• Organization and task management
• Quality customer service and teamwork
• Commitment to company values

• Team player with good organizational and communication skills
• Knowledge of community events and opportunities for customers

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

• Physical demands include climbing stairs, balance, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, bending, twisting, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting up to 50 pounds, fine motor tasks, talking, and hearing.
• Vision abilities: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• May involve working with individuals whose behaviors require de-escalation techniques.
• Work environment includes indoor/outdoor settings (office, home, community); travel by motor vehicle as needed; shifts/locations vary by client and agency needs.

Note: Duties are not all-inclusive. Responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of the appointing authority.

Community Options exists to help people live independently and be active in their community.

Community Options does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, genetics, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the North Dakota Human Rights Act.