5E01
PAY RANGE: 8
CERTIFIED PEER/ YOUTH SPECIALIST
(Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services)
(Human Services)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is mental health support work either in the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, providing person-centered peer support services to adults with mental illness or substance use challenges to aid in recovery, community integration and employment processes or in the Department of Human Services enhancing the service delivery and continuum of care for children and families. Employees in the Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services specialty are responsible for serving as an advocate, providing recovery and wellness information and assisting in the identification of program services to individuals with mental illnesses or substance use challenges to aid in their recovery process. Employees collaborate with other units to provide support for individuals living with mental health challenges by lending their insight and providing peer support in a variety of settings. Guiding the development of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), aiding in the identification of goals for recovery and wellness and assisting in the development and delivery of transformational training to a diverse population is a significant aspect of the work. Employees in the Human Services specialty are responsible for consulting with older youth and former biological parents with lived experience in the Philadelphia child welfare and/or juvenile justice system to inform programs and services. Work is performed under the close supervision of the Health Program Analysis Supervisor.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be
allocated to this class.)
1. Positions must be located in the Department of Behavioral Health Intellectual Disability Services or in the Department of Human Services.
2. Employees in the Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services specialty must perform mental health support work in the Department of Behavioral Health Intellectual Disability Services, providing person-centered peer support services to adults with mental illness or substance use issues to aid in recovery, community integration and employment processes.
3. Employees in the Human Services specialty must have lived experienced with former youth and/or former biological parents within Philadelphia’s child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services Specialty
Attends and facilitates Peer Networking meetings; engages peers in collaborative and caring relationships; meets with individuals with mental health challenges to assess and document information regarding mental health; assists peers with identifying goals and objectives and developing plans to attain objectives; assists individuals with the development of their Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP); provides peer support and advocates for effective recovery based services; teaches techniques for identifying and combating negative self-talk; supports wellness and recovery planning; assists in setting objectives; assists in identifying barriers; identifies appropriate support system and trainings; models wellness behaviors; attends community meetings; provides information on community agencies and links to supports and aids in utilizing these in the recovery process; shares lived experience in recovery; provides coaching to achieve goals; helps individuals to manage crisis
Attends networking meetings to provide support and information on Peer Services and WRAP initiatives; supports employed Peer Services Coordinators and external agencies in identifying workplace obstacles; supports non-consumer staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lends unique insight into mental illness and mental health recovery; coordinate and deliver transformation trainings to a diverse population, including behavioral health professionals, community members, and persons with lived experiences.
Organizes and assists in preparing training or outreach materials; prepares presentations for use in facilitating comprehension and training retention; schedules and prepares classroom environment; set up audio-visual equipment; maintains registrations and records of training sessions; reviews participant evaluations; coordinates and communicates with department staff to discuss ongoing issues regarding transformation trainings; leads trainings as required.
Attends treatment team meetings to promote use of self-directed recovery tools; attends continuing education sessions, seminars, and in-service trainings.
Performs related work as required.
BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
Provides supportive services to individuals with acute behavior health challenges; provides guidance and encouragement to individuals regarding self-care skills and activities of daily living; assists with the scheduling and keeping of appointments.
Engages peers in collaborative and caring relationship; advocates for peer; shares lived experience; giving them reassurance sources and links to supports, as needed.
Assists the individual and/or family with accessing identified community resources and support network.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
Performs the above duties as those described above in relation to mental illness challenges.
RECOVERY ASSIGNMENT
Performs the above duties as those described above in relation to substance use challenges.
Human Services Specialty
Collaborates with coworkers, team members, peers, community resources and provider agency staff; attends meetings and collaborates with community stakeholders, and/or system partners; coordinates program activities; shares experiences about the personal child welfare/juvenile justice system; engages with parents/caregivers/youth regarding personal experiences; participates in the service, training, consultation, and other professional activities for the department.
PARENT ADVOCATE ASSIGNMENT
Performs the above duties to serve parents.
YOUTH ADVOCATE ASSIGNMENT
Performs the above duties to serve children and youth.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
BOTH SPECIALTIES:
· community resources, coping skills, and advocacy techniques
· the meaning and role of peer support
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services Specialty:
· principles and practices of recovery
· basic definition and dynamics of recovery
· the role of peer support at each stage of the recovery process
· basic philosophy and principles of psychosocial rehabilitation
· the elements of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan
Human Services Specialty:
· Philadelphia Department of Human Services child welfare and juvenile justice agency mission and functions
SKILL IN:
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services Specialty:
· demonstrating sensitivity to mental health issues for the mental health assignment
· demonstrating sensitivity to substance use issues for the recovery assignment
Human Services Specialty:
· written and verbal communication
ABILITY TO:
BOTH SPECIALTIES:
· utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups
· interact sensitively and effectively with individuals in the area of assignment
· employ tact, diplomacy and judgment in dealing with sensitive populations
· establish rapport and cooperative relationships with individuals possessing mental health problems in the area of assignment
· present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services Specialty:
· assist with the development and the maintenance of peer culture by engaging within the department, with behavioral health providers and with the Philadelphia community in person and online
· create, facilitate and support a variety of group activities including peer culture training and demonstrations, wellness cafes, and focus groups that support recovery in the area of assignment
· understand and complete documentation required by state agencies
· learn and implement the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health practice guidelines for recovery and resilience-oriented treatment
· facilitate identifying strengths and recovery and wellness goals
· recognize and report progress made toward meeting recovery objectives
· provides training on and supports consumers in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
· provide technical assistance to departmental staff, behavioral health service providers, interns, peer volunteers, and the Philadelphia community.
· Human Services Specialty:
· provide support to parents, caregivers, or youth with grievance processes and Commissioner Action Response Office (CARO) matters
· collaborate effectively with coworkers, team members, peers, community resources, and provider agency staff with minimal supervisory direction exercising appropriate judgement
· operate a variety of computerized software and equipment
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards that will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 11/22.)
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services Specialty:
OPTION 1:
CERTIFICATION:
Current certification as a Certified Peer Specialist by the Pennsylvania Certification Board or an equivalent certifying body.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
OPTION 2:
CERTIFICATION:
Current certification as a Certified Recovery Specialist by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) or an equivalent certifying body.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience providing peer support to individuals with substance use challenges in a substance use recovery agency.
OPTION 3:
EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience supporting individuals with behavioral health needs.
OR
For the Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services Specialty only:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included certification as a Certified Peer Specialist by the Pennsylvania Certification Board or equivalent certifying body or certification as a Certified Recovery Specialist by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) or an equivalent certifying body.
Human Services Specialty:
EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
One year of verified experience as a parent or juvenile who received services with Philadelphia county’s child welfare and/or juvenile justice system, which must have occurred at least 12 months prior to the announcement date.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific assignments in the General Specialty. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification - the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with one or more of the specified qualifications to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such positions will be made from the eligible list who possess the specified qualifications in the assignment area.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
Current Certification as a Certified Peer Specialist by an accrediting body or Current Certification as a Certified Recovery Specialist by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) at the time of application and during tenure as a Certified Peer/Recovery Specialist in the Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services specialty only.
Class Established:
CSC – 1/14; Ad. Board – 3/14
Spec Revision:
CSC – 1/19; Ad. Board – 2/19
Spec Revision:
CSC – 3/20; Ad. Board – 4/20
Latest Spec Revision:
CSC – 11/22; Ad. Board – 11/22
SA