Peer Health Navigator 
Behavioral Health Home Program

Looking to make a difference? The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a full-time Peer Health Navigator to join our Behavioral Health Home (BHH) team. 

Our Behavioral Health Home is a model of care that helps people who struggle with mental health achieve their health and wellness goals. The Behavioral Health Home care model supports individuals in the community in achieving their goals and aspirations for wellbeing. 

The Peer Health Navigator is an integrated peer support position for the Behavioral Health Home (BHH). This position contributes to the accomplishment of the program outcomes through the provision of non-clinical activities that engage, educate, and offer support and assistance to BHH members, the BHH team, and all collaborators. Services may include outreach, educational workshops, support groups, and the provision of other recovery resources all guided by the Tasks and Principles of Intentional Peer Support. Peer Health Navigators will work with the Member, Care Coordinators, Nurse Educators as well as Primary Care and Psychiatry Consultants as part of a multidisciplinary service team. As part of the multidisciplinary team, Peer Health Navigators bring the Intentional Peer Support model to weekly program staff meetings, case presentations, supervision meetings, and other leadership meetings, as necessary. Peer Health Navigators will also attend all Intentional Peer Support co-reflections and trainings as required by Maine’s DHHS’s Office of Behavioral Health and keep current on their annual Intentional Peer Support Certification, as well as other relevant training requirements to maintain facilitation certifications. 

Schedule: This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position.

Location: Office is based in South Portland. Position supports Cumberland County. 

Qualifications:  

• Intentional Peer Support Specialist Certification: Ability to maintain certification (through attending quarterly required co-reflections, attaining required continuing education credits and successful fidelity review.)  Ability to provide support according to the values and steps of the process required. Provisional CIPSS Certification required within 12 months of hire date.
• The equivalent of one year facilitation experience and knowledge: Ability to facilitate peer support groups and workshops, preferably with certification or ability to become certified in alternative models such as Pathways to Recovery within 12 months of hire date. Knowledge and understanding of different models of facilitation and willingness to learn others.
• High school diploma or equivalent required. Additional lifelong learning relevant to job preferred.
• Is receiving or has received services and supports related to the diagnosis of a mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder, and is willing to self-identify and connect on this basis with peers and in the community. Must be in active recovery, and willing to self-identify and connect on this basis with peers and in the community, demonstrating, a keen awareness of the stages of change and their individual wellness practices, and how each relates to their individual recovery process. 
• Flexible and resourceful, ability to advocate for self and others, ability to identify resources in the community to support recovery. 
• Ability to navigate traditional and non-traditional systems.
• Models strengths-based interactions and treats all individuals with respect. Demonstrates ability to utilize strengths-based approach to problem solving.
• Good communication skills and an ability to establish rapport with consumers, family members, caregivers and other resource providers. Willingness to further develop communication skills (i.e. written, verbal, and computer.) Demonstrated ability to keep focus on continual learning and moving towards positive goals rather than away from what is not wanted.
• Computer proficiency required with ability to demonstrate basic computer skills. Skill in using Microsoft Office and email is required. There will be some simple data entry.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of volunteers, fellow workers, communities, resources and cultures. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrates high degree of accuracy and attention to details at all times. Plans and utilizes time in an efficient manner.
• Position may involve operation of a motor vehicle to conduct Agency business.  A good driving record is required to provide transportation.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check and must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• Must be able to exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility.

Benefits: Our benefits include but are not limited to:

(offered to full-time and part-time employees)

• Generous paid time off accrual
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year 
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost 
• Dental and Vision insurance options 
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances 
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

To learn more about our benefits please visit, https://www.opportunityalliance.org/explore-our-benefits

Who we are…

The Opportunity Alliance is “Helping People Reach for a Brighter Future”.

Mission: The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic, results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. With over 50 years of experience, TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health, substance use, homelessness, lack of basic needs, and access to community supports. Through an extensive array of services, TOA provides opportunities for individuals to stabilize fragile situations and then works with them to achieve self-sufficiency. TOA is client-focused with extensive experience working with diverse client populations. TOA programming includes four key sectors of service:

• Mental Health & Wellness
• Community Building
• Family & Early Childhood Education
• Economic Resources

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The Opportunity Alliance is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are viewing this posting on a third-party site, please visit our website at https://opportunityalliance.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application.

Thank you!