Mobile Outreach Team (MOT) Peer Companion
Summary
Provides person-centered, trauma-informed peer support to people discharged from Rockland Psychiatric Center — mentoring, community integration, documentation, and transportation (~20 hrs/wk with Orange County SPOA) plus Rose House Warm Line coverage. Full-time Mon-Fri; requires recovery understanding, NYS Peer Specialist certification eligibility, and a clean driver's license.
The Mobile Outreach Team (MOT) Peer Companion provides person-centered, trauma-informed peer support to individuals directly discharged from Rockland Psychiatric Center. The goal of MOT is to help participants strengthen independence, successfully transition back into the community, and remain connected to supports that promote stability, wellness, and recovery. The Coordinator serves as a peer mentor, advocate, and community-based support while respecting each participant’s choices, goals, and pace of engagement.
MOT participation is completely voluntary. Participants may reduce or “step down” their level of involvement as they choose; however, they are not completely discharged from the program and may reconnect with the team whenever assistance is needed.
This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position. Approximately 20 hours per week, scheduled across three days, will be dedicated to MOT services in partnership with Orange County SPOA. The remaining 20 hours per week will support People USA’s Rose House operations, including answering Warm Line calls, assisting with Rose House tasks, and providing shift coverage as program needs require.
- Work three days per week in partnership with Orange County SPOA, totaling approximately 20 hours per week dedicated to MOT participant services.
- Engage individuals directly discharged from Rockland Psychiatric Center and provide ongoing peer support during their transition into the community.
- Provide encouragement, mentoring, and recovery-oriented peer support that promotes hope, self-direction, and independence.
- Assist participants with transitions to new housing arrangements, including adjustment to the new living environment and connection to community-based resources.
- Help participants strengthen independent living skills, including budgeting, personal shopping, planning, organization, and other day-to-day needs identified by the participant.
- Increase community awareness and engagement by helping participants identify and access community events, recreational opportunities, natural supports, and meaningful activities.
- Provide information, referrals, and linkages to community services, including behavioral health, medical care, benefits, housing, transportation, recovery supports, and other resources based on individual needs.
- Provide transportation as needed to support appointments, shopping, community activities, service linkages, and other approved participant needs.
- Serve as a positive role model and mentor while advocating for participants and ensuring their voice, preferences, and choices remain central to service planning.
- Collaborate with Orange County SPOA and other community partners to coordinate services, address barriers, and support smooth transitions and continuity of care.
- Maintain regular and meaningful contact with participants while honoring the voluntary nature of the program and each participant’s right to step down services.
- Use person-centered, trauma-informed peer practices to help participants identify goals, build skills, strengthen natural supports, and work toward greater independence.
- Document participant contacts, services, linkages, transportation, and other required program information in accordance with People USA and program requirements.
- Answer Rose House Warm Line calls and provide peer-based active listening, emotional support, problem solving, recovery support, wellness check-ins, safety planning, community connection, and information/resource navigation within the scope of the Warm Line.
- Provide appropriate information and linkages to community services and crisis resources when callers require additional support.
- Maintain healthy professional boundaries during Warm Line interactions and follow established procedures for inappropriate, unsafe, or emergency calls.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation of Warm Line contacts and other assigned services in accordance with program and compliance standards.
- Assist with Rose House operational tasks, participant support, and other duties needed to maintain a safe, welcoming, peer-run environment.
- Provide Rose House shift coverage as needed based on staffing and program needs.
- Work collaboratively with Rose House staff and supervisors to support continuity of services and respond flexibly to program needs.
- Individual Advocacy: Stand alongside participants, help identify and address barriers, support informed choice, and advocate for access to appropriate community services and supports.
- Peer Support & Mentoring: Use lived experience and peer principles to provide hope, encouragement, practical support, and positive role modeling while promoting self-direction and independence.
- Systems Navigation: Help participants understand and access community-based systems and resources, coordinating with Orange County SPOA and other providers when appropriate.
- Community Integration: Support participants in developing routines, natural supports, community connections, and practical independent-living skills that promote long-term stability.
- Rose House Support: Contribute to Warm Line coverage, Rose House tasks, participant engagement, documentation, and shift coverage during the portion of the workweek not dedicated to MOT services.
- Peer Support & Recovery Orientation
- Communication
- Thoroughness
- Participant/Client Focus
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Interpersonal Skills
- Computer Skills
- Organization & Time Management
- Advocacy & Mediation
- Resiliency & Flexibility
- Responsiveness & Calmness
- Ability to Maintain Professional Boundaries
- Solid understanding of the recovery process and the potential for meaningful recovery and independence for individuals living with mental health and/or substance use challenges. Applicants with lived experience as recipients of mental health services and/or personal recovery are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed peer support, honesty, respect for diversity, strong personal ethics, and professional communication and behavior aligned with the Independent Living philosophy.
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Eligibility to obtain New York State Peer Specialist Certification.
- Ability to identify participant needs and facilitate appropriate connections to community-based services.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to provide community-based services and transportation as required by the position.
- Ability to work collaboratively with Orange County SPOA, Rose House staff, community providers, and other partners.
- Clean and valid driver's license.
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Ability to obtain New York State Peer Specialist Certification within 6 months of hire.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Travel is required for this position.
- Candidates who have been recipients of mental health services and have personally navigated the mental health system are encouraged to apply.
- Completion of the Academy of Peer Services training or ability to complete within 6 months of hire.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals with mental health diagnoses preferred.
- Advocacy experience of two or more years preferred.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) capabilities a plus.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment: This job operates primarily in community settings and in a peer-run, non-clinical mental health care setting that includes professional office environments. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear and frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, and reach with hands and arms.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position expected to work 40 hours per week. Approximately 20 hours per week across three days will be dedicated to Mobile Outreach Team services in partnership with Orange County SPOA. The remaining approximately 20 hours per week will be dedicated to Warm Line coverage, Rose House tasks, participant support, and Rose House shift coverage based on program needs.
Travel: Local travel is required to provide community-based MOT services, participant transportation, service linkages, and community engagement. Some out-of-area travel may be expected based on program needs.
Preferred Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree; significant demonstrable experience in health and human services.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Must work toward or possess New York State Certified Peer Specialist certification within 6 months of hire. Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) preferred/required as applicable. All other assigned trainings must be completed in a timely manner.
Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities, duties, or activities required of the employee. Responsibilities, duties, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.