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Steel Smiling, an “Organization-in-Residence" of Neighborhood Allies
PEER SUPPORT FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Peer Support Fellow
Status: Full-Time, Temporary, (one-year grant funded Fellowship)- 2 positions available
Reports to: Program Manager for Wellness Services
OVERVIEW:
Steel Smiling bridges the gap between Black people and mental health care through education, advocacy, and support. Our goal is to expose every Black adult in Allegheny County to a positive mental health experience that improves their quality of life by 2030 through our programs including Beams to Bridges (Black mental health education and training program) and Steel Healing (referral services and peer support). Through our programs and initiatives, we are focused on identifying, connecting, resourcing, and advancing the Black Mental Health Ecosystem in the Pittsburgh region.
Steel Smiling is an “Organization in Residence” of Neighborhood Allies. Neighborhood Allies’ mission is to engage Pittsburgh area residents and organizations with innovative tools that expand opportunity for transformative community change. As a multi-faceted Community Development organization, Neighborhood Allies supports people and organizations by providing access and “onramps” to strategic resources, and connects community builders together to forge stronger networks and collaborations that drive transformative change through co-creating solutions to long-term social problems. One of the “co-created solutions” is the innovative pilot partnership established with Steel Smiling and the “Organization-in-Residence (OIR)” model. Under this model, Steel Smiling has elected to become a “program of” Neighborhood Allies for a fixed term in order to grow organizational capacity.
OBJECTIVE:
Steel Smiling’s intention with the one-year Peer Support Fellowship role is to train and equip fellows to use their lived experience of mental illness and healing to provide education, support, and advocacy tocommunity members seeking mental health support. Through the fellowship design, Steel Smiling will support Peer Support Fellows in obtaining training and certification in a community-based mental health worker role of their choice (ex: Certified Peer Specialist, Certified Recovery Specialist, or other appropriate role) while working within the Steel team’s current programs (Beams to Bridges, Steel Healing). Peer Support Fellows will identify and co-create additional community offerings based on their interest and the
needs of the communities Steel Smiling serves. At the fellowship's end, Steel Smiling will support Fellows in obtaining permanent full-time employment with Steel Smiling (dependent on funds availability) or other organization of interest.
Peer Support Fellow Responsibilities:
Steel Smiling’s Peer Support Fellow will be responsible for the provision of the organization’s Peer Support Services (individual and group activities). The Peer Support Fellow will have personal lived experiences with mental health recovery, as is required for the Peer Specialist Certification credential, and an interest to leverage their knowledge and skills to help others within the Black Mental Health Ecosystem. The Peer Support Fellow will also have dedicated time to cultivate professional growth and development tied to their specific goals and aspirations within the Black Mental Health Ecosystem.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Strong candidates will have interest in using their lived experiences of mental health to inform their work and approaches.
• Collaborate with Program Manager for Wellness Services to determine monthly meeting schedule and topics for Community Support Groups.
• Communicate meeting times and topics to Community Support Group participants.
• Support recruitment and facilitate Community Support Groups.
• Use personal experience to model effective coping techniques and strategies.
• Attend weekly individual and group supervision with Program Manager for Wellness Services to ensure fidelity to the Peer Support model and any other best practices.
• Document activities in Steel Smiling’s record keeping system, ensuring compliance with HIPAA
and all other internal policies.
• Develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and Safety plans to increase active participation of individuals in care planning.
• Assist individuals to develop and maintain positive personal and social support networks.
• Assist individuals to develop self-care and community care practices.
• Attend community engagement events on behalf of Steel Smiling.
• Other related duties as assigned.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
The following knowledge, skills and abilities are desirable for job success:
• Must currently have or be willing to obtain Certified Peer Specialist credential.
• Complete a minimum of 18 hours continuing education training per calendar year
• Priority will be given to applicants who have participated in one of Steel Smiling’s programs, or
completed the Beams to Bridges program.
• Comfortable working in a mental health support role.
• Must be a skilled communicator, able to problem solve in real time while navigating sensitive
and possibly difficult topics, while maintaining dignity and respect for all involved.
• Must be able to work in a team environment, collaboratively, empathically, and with excellent
organizational skills.
• Proficient in the use of technology. Microsoft Office and Google products.
• Strong person-centered, empathic interpersonal skills to interface with employees, management, program participants, mental health professionals, and community stakeholders.
COMPETENCIES:
Cultural Competence: Respects and works well with people of all backgrounds. Understands and invites diverse perspectives to the table and is sensitive to group differences. Views diversity as an opportunity. Challenges bias and intolerance.
Project Management: Set and adhere to deadlines and operate well under pressure of quick turnarounds. Exhibit strong planning and organizational skills and demonstrate an ability to collaborate well with others.
Relationship Development: Builds and grows lasting, transformational relationships at all levels.
Internally, works collaboratively with all members of the Neighborhood Allies team and partners. Externally, demonstrates an ability to cultivate and to grow both new and existing relationships in the communities we serve.
SALARY:
Demonstrating our dedication to equitable compensation, the salary range for this position is $40,000 to $45,000, enabling us to customize offers based on individual experience. This underscores our commitment to embracing diverse skill sets and talents. We also provide an exceptional benefits package that enriches the overall employment offering.
Equal Opportunity Employment:
Neighborhood Allies, and Steel Smiling as an Organization-in-Residence of the entity, is an equal
opportunity employer, hiring and promoting staff and providing equity training to individuals without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, or physical ability.
To apply, send your cover letter and resume to info@steelsmilingpgh.org with “Peer Support
Fellow” as the subject.
No phone calls please.
Neighborhood Allies is an equal opportunity employer, hiring and promoting staff and providing equity training to individuals without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, or physical ability.
We do not discriminate against Race, Ethnicity, Religious Belief, Gender, Gender Identity or Expression, Age, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Military/Veteran Status, Color, National Origin, Creed, genetic information, family responsibilities, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.