Peer Specialist (Pantry Mentor) – Catholic Charities of Broome County
Position Summary Statement
Equal opportunity is the policy of Catholic Charities as it is in the best interest of the agency to develop and use its employees to their full potential and to select the best qualified person for every job. All employees hired and promoted have been, and will continue to be, selected from all candidates on the basis of qualifications necessary to perform the job well. Since the agency’s goal is to use all its employees to their fullest potential, recruiting will be on the basis of qualifications alone, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or any other factor that does not pertain to the individual’s ability to do the job.
Each listing of job openings will be posted for a minimum of five days. Directors are responsible for making sure that their staff is made aware of these job opportunities within the agency.
Applications for the following positions will be accepted at Catholic Charities, 232 Main Street, Binghamton, NY 13905
Qualifications
Education/Experience
- 1. One year lived experience with Mental Health Services
- 2. Some participation in self-help or advocacy activities
Skills
- 1. Basic knowledge/experience of coping skills, self-help techniques, and mental health services delivery system
- 2. Interpersonal skills to verbally engage individuals
- 3. Ability to assertively advocate for individuals and negotiate with service providers
- 4. Ability to teach skills to individuals, small groups and to facilitate group meetings
- 5. Ability to serve as role model for individuals
- 6. The ability to climb stairs, bend, stoop, sit, stand, reach and lift items weighing 40 lbs.
- 7. Ability to legally operate a vehicle in NY State
RESPONSIBLE TO: Supervisor
MAJOR FUNCTIONS:
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- Help individuals identify and develop personal coping skills
- Educate individuals about self-help techniques and self-help group process and facilitate development of self-help skills
- Facilitate individual development of support systems, such as peer support networks, natural supports and social support system
- Assist individual in developing skills for empowerment and successful community living (i.e. assertiveness and communication skills, help define individual rehabilitation goals, carry out tasks in treatment plans, and learn skills in daily living)
- Provide advocacy to assist individuals in understanding and obtaining resources and/or promote development of services not available
- Provide linkage to other services including mental health, legal, housing, medical, financial, education and parenting services
- Complete required documentation
- Adhere to standards of ethics, confidentially, and sensitivity to issues of cultural background and sexual orientation
- Share common experiences
- Participate in all required training
- Represent the Agency and program in the community and with other service providers
- Regular and substantial contact with individuals receiving support
- Perform other related tasks as directed by supervisor
Food Pantry Mentor Responsibilities
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- Must have been a recipient of food pantry services in the past
- Effective written and observational skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with team approach
- Ability to work with people at different functioning levels
- Ability to work cooperatively with various service providers in the community and ability to document activities
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to accommodate flexible work schedule
- Familiar with computer programs (e.g. Work, Excel)
- Ability to legally operate a vehicle in NY State
- Assist the families with a strength based assessment of needs
- Create an individualized plan to help families navigate financial and health resources
- Advocate for the family and teach families to advocate for themselves
- Document the interactions with families and service providers
- Accompany clients to meetings and appointments when necessary
- Participate in team planning meetings and case reviews
- Act as a role model
- Assist in teaching navigation, utilization of health and other needed resources and proper nutrition
- Plan, coordinate and assist individuals in identifying personal goals
- Provide appropriate support to meet individual needs
- Maintain case records and provide documentation according to program standards
- Understand and follow all program policies and procedures
- Participate in and successfully complete all required staff training and development activities
- Participate in intake and discharge planning
- Assist individuals in the development of decision-making skills
- Communicate with other service providers
- Provide transportation as needed
- Assist individuals in accessing community services
- Represent the Agency and program in the community and with other service providers
- Establish relationship with all clients and families as appropriate
- Regular and substantial contact with individuals receiving support
- Perform other related tasks as directed by supervisor

CONTACT US:
Binghamton-Broome Anti-Poverty Initiative of United Way of Broome County
47 North Street
Binghamton, NY 13905
PHONE
HOURS:
M-F | 8:30am - 4:30pm
(please call for hours during holidays and special circumstances)