CFO Overview:
As a peer-run organization, all our employees bring a breadth and depth of knowledge acquired through our own lived experience with the challenges of mental health, substance use and/or homelessness challenges. Our experience allows us to provide support and guidance to our participants from a place of empathy and understanding. In essence, we are those we serve.
Centers For Opportunity (CFO) hires exceptional people who share our mission, vision and values.
This is a part time, paid temporary position that will satisfy half of the required PRS experience hours. Pay is $15 or $16 hours for 27.5 hours a day, Monday through Friday 8:30 am-2:30 pm approximately. October 25 to December 9th with two paid weeks of training prior to start date. At the end you are welcome to volunteer to earn all hours and may be able to join as an employee at a separate center, if a position becomes available. Promised help with CPRS Application and Exam Study Sessions.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations can be made for individuals with distinctions to perform the essential duties of this position.
Greets participants and informs them of the Center’s available programs, services and resources.
Facilitates and Co-Facilitates peer-led, support groups.
Is knowledgeable of and uses person-centered language, the principles of recovery, trauma-informed care and cultural responsivity when engaging with participants.
Engages participants in peer support with empathy and mutual respect, encouraging self-empowerment and self-determination, ultimately creating an inspiring and holistic atmosphere in support of participant’s wellness.
Works as an integral team member with staff, volunteers, contractors and participants to co-create and promote a recovery-oriented, wellness workplace culture that is trauma-aware and culturally responsive.
Collaborates with participants to support them in identifying their needs and wants and supports them in achieving them (e.g., overcoming possible dependencies, adjusting to life circumstances, and making changes or different choices)
Connects with participants to encourage engagement by participating in recreational and other activities to build rapport and mutuality.
Assists recovery team to co-create a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters a sense of safety for all.
Provides peer support and empowerment to participants in support of their wellness.
Informs participants about and refers participants to community resources to assist in their recovery and support them in getting their needs met.
Acts as participant advocate to coordinate required services.
Observes activities to identify any needed changes to policies and procedures to improve safety or program offerings.
Follows State Mandated Reporting and all Virginia State and certifying entity for PRS/CPRS Code of Ethics as well as the CFO Code of Ethics.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use challenges and/or traumatic life experiences.
Strong ability to communicate the values and ethics of the organization.
Identify mental health, substance use, and physical health emergencies and respond with appropriate actions by requesting support from other staff and connecting participants with appropriate emergency services when needed. Complete incident reports and log appropriately.
Establish and maintain effective work relationships with others.
Communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
Must have reliable internet access and skills with computers (e.g., databases, Microsoft Word and Excel, Zoom, internet browsers and search engines, etc.)
Required:
Be a Peer Recovery Specialist in Need of Experience Hours
Submit a negative TB test within two weeks (CFO will pay)
