JOB SUMMARY
Interested in a rewarding career opportunity supporting others through their most challenging times? Are you someone who has lived experience with trauma, substance use recovery, or mental health and want to share your experiences with others on their healing journey? Are you a great listener and communicator? If you answered “yes,” then this position may be a fit for you.
Peer Respite Advocate (PRA) / Peer Support Worker (PSW)Job Summary
Kiva Centers is hiring for Peer Respite Advocates (PRA) and Peer Support Workers (PSW) to provide trauma-informed peer support across our Peer Respite and Recovery Learning Community (RLC) programs.
The Peer Respite Advocate will support the daily operations of the Peer Run Respite and offer peer support for each guest. The PRA is available to instill hope, support wellness, and demonstrate that healing is a self-determined process. The PRA will model and utilize trauma-informed techniques and tools, help guests set goals, and engage in community and social events.
The Peer Support Worker will provide trauma-informed peer support that is directed by the core values of the recovery movement and the mission of the Recovery Learning Community. The PSW will operate with the ultimate goal of empowering each individual to find their own path to recovery. To this end, they may provide direct support in a variety of ways and settings, including face-to-face support and phone support.
Both positions will provide support in a variety of settings and work to create a welcoming atmosphere that promotes openness, helpfulness, empowerment, self-determination, and recovery.
The specific duties held by a PRA or PSW may vary depending on the type of work performed, including group vs. individual support, Peer Respite vs. Recovery Learning Community programming, community-based work, outreach, and other Kiva Centers activities.
Principle Duties and ResponsibilitiesRole Modeling & Leadership
- Share their own recovery story, including points of self-empowerment and successful community living, in group and/or individual support settings.
- Model coping, self-help, and self-advocacy techniques that may include wellness management tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
- Represent the Kiva Centers in a positive light.
- Promote engagement and the empowerment of the Kiva community in taking ownership of the Kiva growth and support offered.
- Instill hope, support wellness, and demonstrate that healing is a self-determined process.
- Model and utilize trauma-informed techniques and tools.
- Support individuals in identifying their own goals, strengths, resources, and pathways toward self-healing and recovery.
Peer Respite Support
- Support the daily operations of the Peer Run Respite.
- Offer peer support for each guest.
- Provide one-to-one and group peer support to respite guests.
- Welcome and orient guests to the respite and available supports.
- Support guests in identifying personal goals, needs, strengths, and wellness strategies.
- Encourage self-determination, empowerment, hope, and connection.
- Support guests in engaging in community activities, social events, and wellness opportunities.
- Facilitate peer-led activities, groups, and discussions.
- Assist guests with connecting with community resources and supports.
- Support guests with forms, resources, and other practical needs when requested.
- Maintain a welcoming, respectful, and non-judgmental respite environment.
- Participate in the daily operations and upkeep of the respite.
- Provide phone and other forms of peer support as appropriate.
Recovery Learning Community Support
- Provide individual and group peer support to RLC community members.
- Facilitate peer-led groups, workshops, activities, and community gatherings.
- Support community members in identifying and pursuing self-directed recovery and wellness goals.
- Create opportunities for connection, socialization, creativity, education, and community engagement.
- Welcome new community members and help individuals become connected to RLC programming and resources.
- Share information about all community resources, including other peer-run groups, housing and benefit resources, and community events.
- Participate in outreach activities and represent Kiva Centers within the community.
- Support in-person, virtual, and community-based programming as needed.
- Assist with special events, community activities, and RLC initiatives.
- Ensure that members at Kiva are being engaged throughout the day.
- Ensure that meetings are occurring as scheduled.
- Support facilitators with meeting tracking information.
- Respond to requests for information and phone calls in a timely fashion.
- Help maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and recovery-oriented environment.
Advocacy
- Empower individuals supported in any complaint filing processes and act as an advocate as needed.
- Act as an advocate and empower individuals to take leadership in their own recovery.
- Support individuals in connecting with other supports in their community, including, in some cases, visiting other resources with the individual to help them get acquainted.
Information Sharing
- Share information about all community resources, including other peer-run groups, housing and benefit resources, and community events.
- Remain up-to-date on current resources and knowledge of the recovery movement by attending trainings and reading related articles and/or books as available.
- Work with the Kiva team to help get the word out about the Kiva Centers to other providers and people in the community.
- Take part in building the Kiva database of information and resources.
- Be available to provide consultation and/or training to individuals in the community or working in traditional treatment settings.
Collaboration
- Participate in Kiva meetings as scheduled and take part in determining the overall direction and policies of the Kiva Centers.
- Collaborate with other PRA staff, PSWs, facilitators, community partners, and the broader Kiva Centers team.
- Work collaboratively to support the goals and mission of the Peer Respite and Recovery Learning Community.
Support
- Prioritize creating and supporting a welcoming atmosphere.
- Prioritize openness and helpfulness and avoid saying “I don’t know” without following up or offering opportunities to brainstorm together.
- Provide trauma-sensitive support in a variety of settings by using listening skills and empowering the individual supported in problem-solving skills as needed.
- Provide support to individuals as needed to connect with other supports in their community.
- Support individuals in engaging in community and social events.
- Respect the individual’s right to self-determination and their own path to recovery and self-healing.
General
- Value the individual’s right to privacy and keep information confidential within the team.
- Complete administrative tasks as required, including timesheets, basic documentation, and other program-related responsibilities.
- Respond to requests for information and phone calls in a timely fashion.
- Participate in trainings and continued learning related to peer support and the recovery movement.
- Represent Kiva Centers in a positive light.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications Education and/or Experience
- Lived experience with a mental health diagnosis, extreme states and/or trauma required.
- Certified Peer Specialist training preferred. New hires are required to pass the Certified Peer Specialist training within 1 year of hire.
- Some experience in Advocacy or Peer Support preferred.
Abilities
- Access to reliable transportation, with access to your own vehicle preferred.
- Bilingual/Bicultural in English and American Sign Language or Spanish is a big plus.
- Ability to act as an advocate and empower individuals to take leadership in their own recovery.
- Ability and willingness to share own recovery story in an open and skillful manner.
- Ability to utilize trauma-informed techniques and tools.
- Ability to support individuals in identifying and pursuing their own goals.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a variety of settings.
Attributes
- Safe and approachable, including when under pressure.
- Respectful of and compassionate toward other people’s thoughts, behaviors, ideas, and needs.
- Self-aware and able to take responsibility for own mistakes, successes, weaknesses, and strengths, as well as being able and willing to seek support when needed.
- Optimistic and confident in approach and outlook.
- Curious about and open to all perspectives.
- Focused on keeping up-to-date with information about Peer Support and developments in the Recovery movement.
- Committed to the values of peer support, recovery, self-determination, empowerment, and community.
Position Opportunities
We are currently hiring for:
- Peer Respite Advocate (PRA) – supporting guests and the daily operations of the Peer Run Respite.
- Peer Support Worker (PSW) – supporting community members and programming within the Recovery Learning Community.
Both positions are grounded in the belief that individuals are the experts in their own lives and that recovery and healing are self-determined processes. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about peer support and committed to empowering others to find their own path to recovery and self-healing.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
o Ability to frequently or occasionally lift between 10-35 lbs
o Ability to use office equipment
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
o Kiva Centers offers equal opportunities for all persons seeking employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic as established by law.
BENEFITS
o In accordance with the organization’s written personnel policies.
If you are interested in peer support, advocacy, community, and creating alternatives to traditional treatment settings, we encourage you to apply.
Pay: From $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
