Organization: People USA
Job Title: Job Coach/Peer Advocate
Hourly Rate: $24.75 per hour Status: Full-time (40 hours per week) Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
Location: Poughkeepsie
Position Summary:
The Job Coach & Peer Advocate provides integrated peer support and employment services to individuals with psychiatric diagnoses and/or disabilities. Drawing on lived experience and professional training, this role promotes personal empowerment, recovery, and successful employment outcomes. Services are person-centered, strengths-based, and delivered across various community settings such as homes, hospitals, shelters, libraries, job sites, and peer-run spaces.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain regular, meaningful contact with participants (minimum: 1 face-to-face and 2 indirect contacts monthly).
- Facilitate recovery groups and participate in community engagement activities (e.g., Nights Out, Mixers).
- Educate participants on wellness and recovery topics, including:
- Peer/Self-help Resources
- Trauma & Healing
- Recovery from Mental Health Challenges
- SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of WellnessWRAP and wellness planning
- Natural and community-based support systems
- Identify and help participants overcome barriers such as stigma, lack of access to care, or unmet basic needs.
- Build peer relationships rooted in mutuality, empathy, and lived experience.
- Directly connects individuals to services and support (not just through referrals).
- Advocate side-by-side with individuals to ensure their needs and decisions are respected.
- Document all meaningful interactions using electronic health record systems.
- Submit required monthly reports and attend regional or team meetings.
- Provide individualized job coaching and employment support based on participants’ employment goals or IEPs.
- Assist with:
- Job readiness training (e.g., resume building, mock interviews)
- Job orientation and transportation planning
- On-the-job support and skill development
- Communication strategies with coworkers and supervisors
- Navigating workplace adjustments and integration
- Addressing barriers to employment retention
- Build and maintain relationships with local employers, housing providers, and community resources.
- Support participants in accessing public resources and entitlements relevant to employment.
Qualifications:
- Education & Experience (must meet one of the following):
- High School Diploma or equivalent + 3 years of experience providing direct support to individuals with disabilities or psychiatric diagnoses.
Additional Requirements:
- Must obtain New York State Peer Specialist Certification within 6 months of hire.
- Strong understanding of recovery principles, peer support models, and employment services.
- Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery is strongly encouraged.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Familiarity with ADA, mental health systems, Social Security benefits, and community services.
- Must have a clean and valid driver's license.
- Preferred Qualifications:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Knowledge of ASL
- Completion of Academy of Peer Services training
- At least 2 years of advocacy experience
Other Duties:
This description reflects general duties but may evolve. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as organizational needs change.
Reports to - Director of Employment Services
